Called the Festival of Lights, Diwali is the biggest festival celebrated in India. It is celebrated as a sign of victory of good over evil, and light over dark. Although it was still a full day celebration for Vinay this year, there is NOTHING like celebrating Diwali in India… I missed the pretty marigolds and decorations, and seeing the fireworks light up the city. I can’t wait to share how we celebrated Diwali last year in India, stay tuned!
Vinay prepping for the morning puja (prayer).
Getting the sage ready to purify the house!
Vinay sages the house very frequently… he says it helps reduce stress 🙂
Cooking Indian breakfast dish called ragi dosa.
Celebrating Diwali in times of covid… through FaceTime.
Don’t mind the fireworks
Making Indian sweets!
Of course Bella gets extra treats for Diwali too.
Here comes my FAVORITE part… the hair oiling!!
applying all the oils ~
Making a special Diwali face mask/scrub
with a dash of aloe 🙂
Chemist in action lol
Step 1 – hot towel scrub
Step 2 – sit back and relax and apply the Diwali special face mask
This is the Diwali special body scrub, which has some oils, sandalwood powder, and a few other herbs. Its purpose is to cleanse the body and calm the mind.
It’s time for Lakshmi puja, the biggest celebration for Diwali. For 2020, the auspicious time for puja was from 5:30pm -7:30pm. It has to do with the alignment of stars.
Puja in process… there’s lots of chanting of mantras/prayers.
transferring the light and goodness from the lamps, called diyas, into the soul
Including all family members 🙂
Vinay’s final prayer to the goddess Lakshmi and Ganesh for a healthy safe year so far and to keep watching over us until next year.
Illuminating the entrance for goddess Lakshmi to enter the house to bring prosperity and good luck.
Vinay is all done with his prayers and worship and now…
It’s time for sweets!
Attached at the end is a video of us trying them all 🙂
May this Diwali fill your heart and mind with light to cast away the darkness within, and make every moment of your upcoming year shine with love.
Happy Diwali!