The changing face of Diwali

Diwali is the biggest festival and the last one of the year. That’s probably why so much is spent and it is celebrated with so much gusto and merriment. But as get into the thick of the festival, one cannot help but wonder how far we have come from the actual way it was probably celebrated in the earlier years.

Today, the festival has become more about shopping. It is about buying a new car or new gold or just buy. Traffic jams in the city are more than proof of this. The cities are lit with beautiful lights, adorning the small balconies but sadly, it comes from China and less from the small households. The simple earthen lanterns are replaced by decorative and more expensive diya’s. Rangoli’s come in the form of stickers. And crackers …they have become a nuisance and less of enjoyment.

The festival was all about making savouries and sweets. During that time, the whole house used to be fragrant with aromas of various sweets and snacks being fried. That, in many ways used to mark the festivity. Nowadays, we just go and buy stuff from shops…and eating out on Diwali day has also started becoming a tradition.

Somewhere, as we begin our celebrations, it is necessary to look where we are headed. Hope we don’t lose out the values of this festival completely…..