Deepavali

One week ago was Deepavali. As usual, on the eve, the entire family (sans a few cousins) gathered at Ceylon Lane (previously it was at Argyll Road) for prayers and dinner. I think we (read: dad, sis and I) were the last to arrive – mum was at the shop – but thankfully, the food that was ordered still hadn’t arrived.

In the meantime, one of the lights in the living room was not working and so some of the men of the house wanted to be macho and tried to fix the light. In the end, there was a new light bulb, the light was not fixed, the starter was broken to pieces and it was concluded that there was something wrong with the “balas” (or something that sounds like that).


The food finally arrived and so the prayers started. As usual, the men went first, women were next, and then the grandchildren last. No argument there. Since the grandkids were the last to perform the prayers, we were also the first to eat!! There was a spread of ghee rice, chicken curry, mutton, dalcha, cabbage, mango chutney and the famous chilli sambal! YUMS!


After tucking in, some relatives left, some watched TV, while some sat outside chatting. One of my aunts bought some fireworks/crackers (though it’s illegal) and some of us cousins had a blast! We ushered in Deepavali a bit earlier this year as we couldn’t wait for midnight to approach. Dad and an uncle lit up two long strands of firecrackers simultaneously and I think I was deaf for awhile afterward.


Once I got over my deafness, sis and I headed to the shop to see mum and give her some food. Midnight struck and as is the norm, fireworks/crackers from all sides of the shop went off! It was fun!


Coz we slept late the night before, we got up late the next day. After praying at home, we headed to granny’s house for brunch. There was hot tosai, home-cooked chicken curry, dalcha etc. In the meantime, lunch was being prepared.


The mandatory photo-taking session was next, so it was all poses, smiles and *cheeses*!! Photos are up on FB.


A small dinner part to be held the next day was cancelled so we had a quiet family dinner at home. The menu: CHINESE food! Lol…I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the reason for the choice of food.


I was on leave for the next two days so it was spent at home and at the shop.


BTW…our washing machine died on us just a few days before Deepavali and that was a bummer. Thankfully it could be repaired! Handwashing one load of clothes was tiring!