Shubh Deepavali!

I love Diwali....the lights, the colours, the air of festivity!

I hate the sounds, the crackers, the pollution, the futility of it all!

I have never burst crackers after we had a slide show in school when I was in 2nd grade on the poor lives of the children of Sivakasi. It moved me to tears and I vowed never again to light another cracker in my life and I never did.

Diwali is the festival of lights. It all about ringing in the new. Its about happiness and spreading cheer.

I love the whole early morning bathing ritual and doing the rounds of all the temples in Matunga(suburb) in Mumbai which is also known as little Madras.

I love the process of putting up fairy lights. I love painting dozens of diyas in vagaries of colours and styles. It is such a relaxing and fun exercise.

I am OCD about cleanliness. So, Diwali is a legitimate excuse to spring clean and how. I love lighting aroma scented candles in sparkling clean and prettily lit up house!

It has lit up my face with a grin so huge.I'm loving it!

Shubh Deepavali folks!