Diwali 2025

 

Because of our schedules and last minute visit from Minal and Atul, this year Diwali was not an affair of big fanfare. I just lit two lamps as token on the day of Vasu Baras before leaving home for Death Valley. Earlier had ordered some boxes of special sweets to share with the Badlanis( Roshni’s parents) and with the kids and some friends. Today applied the traditional utana( perfumed herbal mixture) to Abhay’s body prior to shower. And of course reached out to all family and friends today with Diwali greetings through texting and WhatsApp. It still brought plenty of festive vibes. 

The real substance of the Festival of Lights I found today summed up in that one line from the famous abhang by Sant Sohiroba:

Antaricha dnyaan diva

Maalavu nako re!

Hari bhajanaa vina kaal

Ghaalavu nako re…..

That Light within you 

The Light that shines even when you are asleep 

The Light that most people are unaware of even when they are awake 

The Light that is filled with compassion for all creation

The Light that is where Happiness resides

The Light where you can find the answers to all your problems 

Keep that Light shining at all times. 

Don’t waste away your time without keeping the source of that Light in your mind at all times !

Happy Diwali to all 🙏🏼🙏🏼🪔🪔💐💐

P.S I have elaborated on the entire abhang of Sohiroba in earlier posts a few years back. 

Photo is recent, but not from today. An orange-red paithani with horizontally placed gold stripes in the body, with purple in the border, and floral brocade motifs on the pallu. This is one of the beauties created by Meera Mehta.