mangalore today

The bright lights of Deepavali shine on always


Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 29, 2016:The style and mode of celebrations in Tulunadu is varied in different households. For some youngsters, ‘Deepavali’ means wearing new clothes or jewellery while others believe in splurging on sweets and crackers. And there are a few other families who choose simpler and down-to-earth celebrations. Some families have vowed not to burst crackers and do their bit to ring in the spirit of a green ‘Deepavali’.

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

Deepavali shopping in Mangalore

 

The contrasting modes of celebrations truly showcase the melting pot of cultures that Mangaluru and Udupi are known for. While children are the most enthusiastic and noisiest during any festival, as years pass by, some youngsters begin to show surprising sensitivity.  One youngster  says the family usually ushers in ‘Deepavali’ with homemade delicacies, new clothes and jewellery. “I used to be enthusiastic about bursting crackers till I was in class five but I grew out of it after I realised the long-lasting impact crackers leave behind on the environment. Every year, I celebrate the festival at home and also at my friends,” she says and  feels ‘Deepavali’ is about spending time with family and friends.

One Gujarati who has settled in Mangaluru for decades, says they chose to make the city their home,  four days of ‘Deepavali’ for him is welcome. “There’s a sequence to the celebrations. The first day is ‘Dhanteras’, then ‘Lakshmi puja’, followed by ‘chhoti’ and ‘badi’ ‘Deepavali’. I live in a large family which means the celebrations will only get bigger. We have plenty of homemade delicacies while new clothes and jewellery are an indispensable part of the celebrations. We also invite our friends home,” . This family doesn’t burst as many crackers as they used to but light up the house and its surroundings with ‘diyas’ instead.


Those who own pets like Sidu and Kiran,  IT professionals, choose a different mode of celebration. While new clothes, sweets and lighting up the house with colourful ‘diyas’ continues, Satish and his family go slow on bursting crackers because it harms their pets. “‘Deepavali’ is always about lights, spending time with family and gorging on the delicious food made by my mother. These are my childhood memories of celebrating the festival and the tradition continues till date. But I stopped bursting crackers. I couldn’t bear to see them shiver on hearing the sound of crackers. It has been a ‘no cracker’ ‘Deepavali’ since then,”. 

The many students in Mangaluru who stay away from parents and unable to go home for ‘Deepavali’ or other festivals, end up celebrating with friends and college mates. The festival somehow is a bright spot for all, whatever their back ground or beliefs.

"Mangalore Today" Wishes all it’s readers and everyone A BRIGHT and HAPPY DEEPAVALI.