Thursday, November 11, 2010

AT LAST…Our Terribly belated Proper Diwali Post!

Daddy took us out for an early walk and a drive on Diwali day before people started the fire-works and crackers.
I am not really scared of the crackers but the racket they create, especially the sudden loud booms irritate me. I prefer to lay quietly somewhere less noisy, like under the bed or the dinning table emerging readily when I SMELL FOOD someone needs me.
With Ginger however, it is different. She gets terribly upset and scared. She shakes visibly and her heart palpitates so hard & hard, you can count the beats just by looking at her!
Mummy says Ginger has a heart problem which makes her get palpitations at the slightest provocation, which further scares and tires her.
But this year she was much better. Earlier she never ever moved out from under Daddy’s chair & remained tired and sad till the next morning. This time, she decided it would be safe to sit by me, huddled together. And then, miracle of miracles, she felt brave enough to go out for walks late at night, in spite of the crackers bursting around us. And instead of under Daddy’s chair, she napped on the sofa.
Her heart wasn’t beating that fast too, and her eats were pretty regular when Mummy checked.
We are so thankful. Mummy says it maybe because her heart is growing stronger with age. And probably me being my normal forever hungry brave, playful self has also helped.
She however refused her dinner & all the Special Diwali sweets too. So we saved some for the next morning.
 
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We altogether had a nice time.
Exchanging gifts is an integral part of this festival. We received some pretty pawsome gifts too. But we are not telling you about those now because we want to write a special post about it.
 
There are many legends associated with this festival.
In Northern India, Diwali is the legendary festival of the Epic Ramayana. It is celebrated as a mark of the day Lord Rama, King of Ayodhya returned to his kingdom after rescuing his wife Sita from the clutches of Demon King Ravana of Lanka.
Rows of lamps, colourful ‘rangolis, festivities, new dresses, food, sweets all depicts the joy at the victory of Good over Evil.
In Jainism, this is believed to be the day Mahavira attained ‘Moksha’ or ‘Nirvana’ in 527 BC.
The Sikhs celebrate it to mark the day Guru Har Gobind Ji returned to Amritsar after freeing 52 Hindu kings imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in Fort Gwalior.
Diwali is celebrated over a period of 5 days, each day being associated with different legends, beliefs and rituals. Whatever be the legends behind this beautiful festival, they all essentially depict the victory of good over evil.
We love this festival because of the abundant festivities, colours and a generalised feeling of joy associated with it.
The blinky lights went up together with Mummy’s flower garlands & the ‘Toran’.
 
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The ‘Toran’ is a garland, sometimes decorated with Mango leaves & Marigold flowers, that is put up on the main door & is believed to bring in good luck.
Our Toran was a handmade one, made out of colourful cotton threads and little tinkling bells.
 
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The tradition of making ‘Rangoli’ is entwined with this beautiful festival since ages.
‘Rangoli’ is a Sanskrit word meaning creative expression of art using colours. Traditionally, Rangoli is made using coloured powders, right at the entrance to a home.
It signifies welcoming Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth & prosperity, into one’s home. It also means to welcome guests, near and dear ones.
Earlier, before me & Ginger came to live with Daddy and Mummy, Mummy used coloured powders to make Rangoli.
 
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But now, she is worried about the powder getting into our eyes and sniffer labra-noses, so that our Rangoli is one of flowers and earthen lamps.
 
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We think she is paranoid though. We have always been on our BEST behaviour & have never messed up any of her stuff.
We do, however, like to smell the flowers & admire them. Of course, not a petal is disturbed.
 
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This years Diwali was really special and will forever be a part of our lives. Because this Diwali brought us ‘WOOF’.
We had left the gate open and he literally walked into our lives. Now, Mummy & Daddy are terrible when it comes to religious rituals and beliefs.
But, like Jake & Just Harry says, we would like to believe he is a gift from Goddess Laxmi and will bring us Good Luck.
Though, honestly, we wouldn’t mind  BANKS FULL OF some wealth and prosperity too!!
 
** Wink** !!

BUDDY

17 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Buddy, thanks for telling us how you celebrated Diwali.

It's really interesting and thanks for sharing your culture with us. Indians in my neighbourhood celebrated this day too. Mika is scared of fireworks, he practically shivered once he heard the first BOOM in the air. Eva is a little daredevil, she's like her mom, whenever there was an awful racket in the sky, she barked once, when there were two, she barked twice, so you can imagine there were fireworks and barks almost the whole night long!!!

jabblog said...

What a beautiful festival. I'm so glad you all enjoyed it. Buddy, you are giving Ginger confidence and that is so good. Well done, boy :-)

Pat said...

Thank you for sharing your Diwali with us. Blessings to you and your family xx

Jake of Florida said...

We think it's lovely that so many different beliefs find a common joy in the holiday. Festivals of light have very ancient origins and we love to see how they are celebrated around the world.

Wirey woofs to Woof and to you all.

Jake and Just Harry

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Another very beautiful custom that you have shared! The flower garlands are so pretty and look so nice on you. Great color coordination.

We can totally understand why this Diwali will forever be a very special one. Woof is one lucky boy.

Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

houndstooth said...

That festival is beautiful! One thing we like about blogging is the chance to learn about other cultures and people and dogs! Thanks for sharing all the info and the beautiful pictures!

We think Woof will be a great source of prosperity for you!

Bunny

houndstooth said...

That festival is beautiful! One thing we like about blogging is the chance to learn about other cultures and people and dogs! Thanks for sharing all the info and the beautiful pictures!

We think Woof will be a great source of prosperity for you!

Bunny

Bella Roxy & Macdui said...

Thanks for all the beautiful photos of Diwali. Part of the school curriculum here in Year 3 (9-year-olds)is the study of world religions and festivals.

Diwali is always a favourite because they make the rangoli, candles and, of course have sweets. (Don't know how much the kids retain, but they love all the festivities.)


XXXOOO Daisy, kendra & Bella

We hope Woof's feet are healing.

AND Kendra, who has always hated loud noises and has to be HELD, is ignoring them now. We think she's getting deaf.

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

The post was SOOOO worth waiting fur!

Thanks so much fur sharing the kholours and tastes and celebrations!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Molly the Airedale said...

We love hearing about your customs and the flowers are just beautiful and so colorful!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

Teddy Bear said...

What an amazing celebration. We loved hearing about all the Diwali customs. Mommy is drooling at that plate of food.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

Happy Diwali, Buddy, Ginger & Woof [and your mom & dad, too]! What georgeous pictures. We, too, love learning about doggies [and people] in other parts of the world through the dog blog world. We hope Woof was not upset at all the noise. Having TWO brothers will surely help Ginger feel more confident.

Jed & Abby

Two French Bulldogs said...

we were a little scared of some of that food we don't know,but the festival must have been lovely!
Benny & Lily

The Chair Speaks said...

We love the rangoli and lamps. And you look great with that flower garland.

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

What a wonderful holiday! Thank you for the photos and all the information, too. Somehow taking in Woof seems very appropriate to the theme of the holiday.

lotsa licks, Lola

the booker man said...

hey buddy dude!
you pawed a grrreat informational on diwali!! me and asa and mama loved learning more about the celebration! me 'n asa love sniffin' flowers just like you. we'd love to come smell your rangoli flowers with you. :)
i'm very super glad that miss gingin wasn't as upset by the BOOMS this year and that her heart was a-okay. woof really did bring some good luck on multiple levels, didn't he!

*woof*
the booker man

Anonymous said...

Oh, gosh! That was a most interesting postie. I didn't know anything abouts diwali and I'm ever so glad you shared it with us. It looks like a Most Beautiful festival! And not to mention, you got Woof out of it, too!

I'm glad Ginger did better this year. Brudder Ranger doesn't like the booms that go off around here on the 4th of July either. But he's getting better, too.

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

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