Early Diwali Memories: A Childhood Celebration

Diwali, the festival of lights, holds countless cherished memories in the hearts of many. For me, growing up during the post-independence era in India, Diwali was a time filled with excitement and fun. Here, I share some of my earliest Diwali memories that still make me smile when I recall them.

Competition with Neighbors

Our Diwali memories were often marked by friendly competitions with neighborhood friends. One of the biggest challenges was to see who had more crackers and colored paper in front of their houses. We would scout around our street, counting the colorful decorations festooning the doorways and windows, with the goal of having the most impressive display. It was a competitive and joyous endeavor, and it always left us with a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Fights over Crackers

Another memorable aspect of Diwali was the heated arguments with my sister over who would light the first cracker. We both wanted to experience the thrill of igniting the first cracker, leading to playful squabbles. The ritual of finally deciding on an elder or simply letting a random trigger, like a mischievous sibling, ignite the cracker, always left us anticipating the biggest and buzziest crackers for later in the night.

Scenes from Preparation

Months before Diwali, we started preparing for the festival. One of the highlights was trying to plan how tolight crackers and firecrackers, particularly the bijjili vedi (torch cracker) in the days leading up to the festival, to catch the attention of the neighborhood and the thrill of the fireworks-style lighting on Diwali night. The vedi, shaped like a candle and shot with a torch, was a popular choice as it produced a vibrant, memorable light display. We also anticipated the louder and bolder big vedi’s to light up the night sky, creating a stunning spectacle of lights and noise.

Misadventures and Explosions

Playing with crackers often led to unexpected and sometimes messy outcomes. Once I tried to fire a rocket on the wrong side, which was not a good idea at all! After a series of loud bangs and bangs not meant for that area, I heard a scolding from a neighbor who couldn’t believe it. Additionally, experimenting with various types of crackers taught me that pencil crackers, usually meant for a burst of sparks, could sometimes explode on my hand as they were not the safest to play with.

Exercises in Creativity

To ward off mosquitoes, on Diwali, we would burn snake tablets to release a smoky fog, believing it would repel the insects. It was a simple, albeit effective, DIY method of pest control that we used periodically. On another occasion, we were so engrossed in creating a smoky curtain to scare away the mosquitoes that we failed to realize we had done the same for the neighborhood and dogs. This led to a tense scene as we had to quickly chase away the stray dogs that were barking and howling due to the smoke.

Sweet Rituals and Scrambles

The distribution of sweets during Diwali was a cherished event. We would run around the streets, accidentally escaping from barking dogs while distributing sweets to our neighbors, friends, and relatives. It was a chaotic and joyful scene, reflecting the communal spirit and joy of sharing.

Oil Baths and Décor

The physical preparations before Diwali weren’t just about cockatiels and crackers. Taking an oil bath was a part of the preparation ritual. Oiling the hair, applying fragrant oils to the body, and indulging in hot baths were all part of the extensive pre-Diwali pampering routine. It was a time to relax and feel pampered after a long year.

Ramp Walks in New Clothes

After the festivities, we would venture out together, dressed up in our new clothes for the day. We would take a ramp walk, a traditional way to display our new outfits. Dressed in our finest, we would parade down the street, enjoying the attention and admiration of our friends and family. It was an unspoken tradition of expressing our pride in our appearance and sharing the joy of the new dresses.

These early Diwali memories collectively paint a vivid picture of a childhood filled with unforgettable experiences. Each moment brought its own form of fun and excitement, and they are cherished till this day.

Keywords: Diwali, Childhood Memories, Holi Celebrations