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.
 

 

 

 

 

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’.
 

 

 

 

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.
 

 

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.
 

 

 

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.
 

 

 

 

 

  

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.
 

 

 

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