Thalai Deepavali for my Sister....

Finally, my sis was in my home first ever after her marriage. She had flown from Mumbai along with my bro-in-law for the "Thalai Deepavali". I sometimes, get amused by various traditions that a traditional Tamil Brahmin family are supposed to follow, but this one was sweet. We were all again in one-roof, and the thought of my good old childhood days, spending fighting with my sis, jumping with joy, etc. came back to refresh and fill the heart with joy.

On the day, as it happens across India (more so in Tamilnadu), we got to get up at 4.30 AM, and this was the day, when no one would scold my dad, even if he blares the Nadaswaram being telecated in the TV. Its his day today :) Then this time around, on the penultimate day before Diwali, I had installed a Water Heater, and lo, another reason for celebrating the bath with hot water...yes..this is the day when the Goddess Lakshmi (the deity of wealth) is supposed to bless everyone who takes head bath (with oil) in hot water...we bless the person who brought about this custom!!! because diwali comes in winter, this is a double celebration for the kids... :)

Then we wake up the neighbourhood with a 1000-wala pataka (crackers). Yes, we love that moment when we presume we had already lit the cracker, and run few steps back only to realize we haven't..oh man...you should be in it to feel this joy!!! New Clothing (smeared with chandan/kumkum) and lots of eatables (like murukku/gulab jamoon/pal kova/payasam) and a feast!!! Any questions, if we say Diwali is the biggest festival for Hindus in India???

On that day, Nov 21-2006, I had a special guest too!! Subodh, my friend, whose parents live in Blore decided to drop in and it was good for me too! We then started off in our Bikes, buying some sweets that are supposed to be packed off with my sis and bro-in-law for their humble visit for thalai deepavali!! And we did drop in Pushkala (another collegue and good frined of our's) and had their thalai deepavali sweets as well (yes she got married feb last)... there was a scare of the rain washing away the celebrations but fortunately, it didn't last and we reached back home and blasted the crackers, now this joy of bursting crackers can last an year!!! see the pic to believe how fun diwali can be!!! :) Then came parting time, say good bye to all the friends, and the next day morning, my sis and bro-in-law flew back to mumbai, but bigger things awaited for me.... I am supposed to fly to Kerala on a 9 day "just have fun" kind of trip...i am eagerly waiting for the sun to rise :) :)