The Diwali That Was…

The Coconut Laddus I made, the Gulab Jamuns were from a can of Haldiram’s.

Work-in-progress. The empty spaces are for nuts to be filled at the last minute to retain their crunch.

The Uruli was filled with water, rose petals were sprinkled and rose-shaped candles floated.

Alu Gobhi was made with lots of fresh peas, while the Dahi Vada was chilled.

Fresh flowers and potted plants were paired with candles and diyas to create a Diwali atmosphere at Apartment 408, our home.
Fresh sheets and cushion covers were brought out to give the evening a touch of India.

A touch of India also meant some traditional Indian flavors and colors. And gifts.

Candles, diya and strings of lights glittered our home. We were finally ready to welcome our friends to our home for Diwali.

Happy Diwali to everybody. Its now time to think Christmas and New Year’s.

More Diwali-related photos from PreeOccupied are here.

Fourteen for the Forefathers

On the eve of Diwali and Kali Pujo, Bengalis remember their ancestors by lighting 14 lamps, prodip in Bangla. It is also customary to have Chhoddo Shaak, 14 varieties of greens on your plate this day.

Since greens make a pocket in my throat, I settled only for the lights.

Traditionally clay lamps lit with oil or ghee are lit in the evening to remember the dead. I am challenged though, cannot remember the names of my ancestors beyond my Grandfather who is no more. I quizzed my husband and he too did not fare too well. I had to know, as I am part of his family too.

What do you do on the eve of Diwali?

I am joining the Diwali party @ The Key Bunch’s Diwali Dhamaka.

More Diwali-related photos from PreeOccupied are here.

Diwali Dry Run on Dhanteras

I am a Bengali who has lived all her life in North India. Which means I almost know the “five-day” fare that Diwali brings with it. Today is Dhanteras in India. Its customary to buy something new – especially a precious metal. Read an interesting story around Dhanteras here.

I bought metal too. Iron to be precise. Not sure how precious it’d finally turn out to be. Its a traditional Bangladeshi kitchen item used for making rice flour desserts. I have no clue how and what goes into the recipe. The way my family makes these desserts is different. They are like cream filled crêpes.

But I did what I do best, be playful and let my imagination run without a rein.

I think I will use this as a centerpiece for my Diwali party on Friday, with a plucked flower (my Frangipani fell on its own) and tea lights.

This is how it should look!

What do you think?

But if you have another idea (and hopefully better), then speak now. For Diwali is just two days away!

Which means I have to hurry up on my planning or press the panic buttons soon. So ciao and Happy Diwali. Be safe. Bhalo theko.

I am sending my dry run idea to The Key Bunch’s Diwali Dhamaka and It’z Festival Time @ Emreen’s Liven Things Up.

More Diwali-related photos from PreeOccupied are here.