Festival of lights overshadows the travails of life

Scarce rainfall and soaring prices failed to deter the celebration mood as the two districts enjoyed the festival of lights with much fervor.

Even amid the adversaries and harsh realities of life, people were seen lighting lamps and making the best of the last festival of the year.

Children were seen bursting crackers on the occasion of Naraka Chaturdashi and women made a beeline in the temples to offer special prayers. Both young and old pulled all strings to ensure that the festival is celebrated with maximum joy.

Last year, heavy rains that lashed the City prevented many from bursting crackers. This year the situation was contrary where the fete began from the eve of Naraka Chaturdashi .

Customers flocked various shops where the decoration and pooja items were in great demand, while sweet shops sold the most. Crackers and groceries were also the most sought after, while the prices of vegetables and flowers skyrocketed.

At many places many commuters also faced hindrances because of continuous bursting of crackers.

One sound crackers, giant electric crackers, flower Pots chakkars, twinkling stars, fancy Rockets, atom bombs, deluxe crackers, fancy Rockets were seen embellishing the sky.

A lowest price of a box of crackers costed Rs 125. Available in various sizes, the prices ranged from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000. Many traders were seen selling a box of crackers at a discount of Rs 80- Rs 90. Customers were seen rushing from one shop to another to get their share of crackers.

A box of crackers that was sold at a price of Rs 300- Rs 400. Many people were seen buying crackers in bulk instead of lose crackers.

The prices of other commodities were also soaring.  A kilogram of jaggery costed Rs 45, while red rice cost Rs 50. Diyas were sold in large numbers at Ammavaripete, Kumbarapete, Doddapete, MG Road and the surrounding regions in the new bus stand.
When compared to last year, the prices have soared this year.

From Rs 100, the apples per kilogram were sold at Rs 120, grapes were sold at Rs 80 for kg, while pomegranates were prices at Rs 100. Bananas costed Rs 40, while mosambi costed Rs 60 per kg. Expressed Shobha, a homemaker, price hike is a common phenomenon. If we decide not to go for shopping, then we shall never be able to celebrate the occasion, she added.

Rains or no rains,  women and children clad in new clothes came together to clebrate the festival.

The government offices were closed for the festival on Monday. Even on Tuesday a majority of the offices worked on skeletal basis.

No different from last year

Last year, during Deepavali, the district suffered from drinking water crisis and fodder was extremely scarce. The four taluks in the district had been declared drought-hit by the State government and yet, people did not lose out on their enthusiasm and vigour.

This year also was nothing better. Failure of monsoon rains has led to a reduction in the total yield. There is neither a reason to rejoice nor a moment to feel elated. Yet the shortfalls have not dashed the hope and punctured the joys of the people.

Since Sunday morning, the hustle-bustle in the market was non-stop. The religious threads or the most popularly known as the Nomu Dharas were sold at prices ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 70. A hand ful of Crysanthamums were sold for Rs 60, while diyas were sold from Rs 6 to Rs 25. There was also a great demand for serial lights, lamps and beetle leaves. 

Though Nilam rains brought in some relief, it has not really helped solve the problems of the farmers. The harvesting will not be up to the mark. Hence, there is nothing special during this Deepavali, said organic farmer from Nenemanahalli village N R Chandrashekhar. No untoward incidents were reported in both the districts. Parents were seen guiding their children.

“Deepavali is celebrated with more enthusiasm as compared to other festivals. Relatives and friends come together from different places to celebrate the festival,” N Lakshminarayana, a resident of Vapasandra, Chikkaballapur said.

Kajjaya and holige were a few snacks prepared as the speciality of the festival.
The verandah of the houses were decorated with Rangoli.

Irrespective of the vagaries of life, they seemed to go ahead with the pace of time. Perhaps, staying afloat inspite of turbulent waves is what one can draw inference from, with the celebration of festivals.