Diwali morning

There are several traditions and rituals during Diwali. In my opinion these traditions and rituals have been created to build stronger relationships and bring the community together. One of such traditions is the breakfast of Diwali morning.

When I was a kid I would invite all my friends to my home for Diwali breakfast which we use to call as Faral. This breakfast would include Diwali special delicacies, sweet laddoo, sweet karanji, savory chakli, spicy chiwda, and spicy sev. This breakfast was blend of various rich flavours. I would have Diwali breakfast with my friends where we would all sit together in a circle dressing up in festive traditional attire. We would have the delicacies while chatting with each other. We would indulge in each and every bite of rich and delicious Diwali snacks. Every moment would be special with friends.

We would have Diwali breakfast together. We would chit chat. We would play games together. We would fight while playing the games. We would again reunite and continue with the games. My friends used to come early in the morning and would stay at my home till it was the time for lunch. Those few hours were filled with energy and happiness. We did not use to play any new games or would do any new activities, but doing those on the day of Diwali felt different. It would feel festive. Every single game would have a festive vibe. Every single game would become a festive memory.

Sometimes during the breakfast we would make plans for rangoli. We would discuss when we plan to start Rangoli, what pattern are we planning to make, which colours we are planning to use etc. These discussions were nothing out of ordinary. Yet they still had very special place in my heart. I loved discussing everything with my friends. We would spend hours and hours discussing what should we make for rangoli. I feel that the discussion towards Rangoli were more interesting than making the rangoli itself.

Diwali breakfast was a tradition and ritual but without realising it had become a special moment between the friends. While visiting each others family was common but having Diwali special breakfast on a friends home was even more special. Our mothers would never be angry for inviting friends on Diwali to home. They would happily serve all the kids who would come home.

These memories were really special. Looking back I realise that how simply and ordinary these moments were. Yet these moments felt so special back then and even today. Now that my friends are not around me I miss them even more. I miss how we use to have our Diwali breakfast together. I miss how we use to play and fight. I miss how we use to discuss the plan for rangoli.

Yet there is something that I continue to do with my friends. When I have my Diwali breakfast I snap a picture and share it with them. Whenever I make rangoli I share the pictures with them. This makes all of us go back down the memory lane and relive those moments. Even those memories still bring a smile on my face.