Deepavali -Festival of Lights and A Tragic Death in My Host Family
The next couple of days are the conclusion of a month of celebration by the Hindu people of Nepal. The current time period is the celebration of Mahalakshmi- Goddess of Wealth and Abundance. This holiday is similar in scope and popularity as Christmas in the West.
Homes are decorated and cleaned to welcome the Goddess of Abundance. Lights are strung everywhere. My favorite walking path is transformed into a lovely avenue of lights.
Young men and women as well as kids form groups and go from house to house and business to business dancing and performing in exchange for some coins or refreshments.
Beautiful rangoli or sacred geometrical designs are drawn on the threshold of LITERALLY each home and each shop. They are embellished with colored powders, flowers and oil lamps. Incense sticks are often stuck into fruits and placed nearby to add fragrance. The hope is that the Goddess Lakshmi will be attracted inside to bless the home or shop.
This one was in front of the tattoo artist shop and definitely was one of the best executed. No... that is not the Nazi swastika but the Vedic symbol of long life and health in the middle.
Here at my apartment however the mood is somber. All the decorations and lights have been removed from the home. The paternal grandmother died two days ago from burns she sustained in a home accident. She fainted due to her medical conditions and her sari caught on fire from the stove.
She was flown to Kathmandu to the burn specialty hospital but due to preexisting conditions she could not be saved. I have mentioned her in a previous post (see post "Dassain Festival Today"). Although we did not converse much due to language barrier, I felt a connection with her and I share the families sadness. Tomorrow is the funeral and cremation march to the Seti River. May she rest in peace.
Colorful arrays of sweets and other gifts are
displayed on the sidewalks as last minute gifts.
Homes are decorated and cleaned to welcome the Goddess of Abundance. Lights are strung everywhere. My favorite walking path is transformed into a lovely avenue of lights.
Young men and women as well as kids form groups and go from house to house and business to business dancing and performing in exchange for some coins or refreshments.
Kind of like Christmas wassailers, groups assemble and go door to door performing song and dance of the holiday for small gifts of money or food.
Beautiful rangoli or sacred geometrical designs are drawn on the threshold of LITERALLY each home and each shop. They are embellished with colored powders, flowers and oil lamps. Incense sticks are often stuck into fruits and placed nearby to add fragrance. The hope is that the Goddess Lakshmi will be attracted inside to bless the home or shop.
Here are a few of my favorites from today's walk
This one was in front of the tattoo artist shop and definitely was one of the best executed. No... that is not the Nazi swastika but the Vedic symbol of long life and health in the middle.
There is a lot of celebration in the streets. Loudspeakers broadcasting prayers and music, people rushing about to visit friends and last minute shopping, children rejoicing and running around in their best attire.
Dancing groups performing on the street.
Here at my apartment however the mood is somber. All the decorations and lights have been removed from the home. The paternal grandmother died two days ago from burns she sustained in a home accident. She fainted due to her medical conditions and her sari caught on fire from the stove.
She was flown to Kathmandu to the burn specialty hospital but due to preexisting conditions she could not be saved. I have mentioned her in a previous post (see post "Dassain Festival Today"). Although we did not converse much due to language barrier, I felt a connection with her and I share the families sadness. Tomorrow is the funeral and cremation march to the Seti River. May she rest in peace.
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