Diwali : Mumbai When it Twinkles

This year, I was fortunate enough to be in Mumbai as it was the grand five-day holiday known as Diwali (Deepavali) also referred to as the ‘Festival of Lights’.

I walk through the streets of Vashi in Navi Mumbai, looking at the Diwali celebrations. Street markets is the best place to get the Diwali vibe. Shops were busy selling festive colored lights, jewelry, cloths and sweets.

Diwali is spiritually known to signify the triumph, or victory, of light over darkness. You can see streets shining brightly with millions of  festive colored lights. It was dark when I reached Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station. I was excited to see the special lightning given to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus building on the occasion of Diwali.

And I headed to Marine Drive. The Marine Drive provided a stunning canvas for Diwali celebration. The pathways of Marine Drive was filled with people celebrating Diwali with fireworks and the area were completely filled with smoke.

It is believed that on this auspicious day, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune, roams about and visits the houses of people. Therefore, people arrange their homes and shops and decorate them lavishly to welcome the goddess. Rangoli is commonly used to decorate homes.

In the evening everyday, during Diwali, people light small lamps made of small earthen pots with a cotton wick and oil popularly known as diyas.

Often you can see diyas being placed outside the  homes.

During this festive season, people eat, shop and burst crackers a lot. Friends and relatives visit each other’s homes to exchange gifts and the sweets . Poojas  are organized at homes to spread the blessings of good fortune and prosperity for the New Year ahead. Often people organize pooja in their offices and sweets and gifts are distributed to employees. On this occasion, people wear traditional dresses.

I was very happy to have had the chance to spend this festival season  in Mumbai.