The Early Glow of Diwali in Pune’s Markets | Supporting Local Businesses

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Yes, it was vibrant indeed. Thanks for your appreciation, @Anil6969.

Cheers!

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Here in Chennai too the markets are very very busy @AjitThite I don’t have pictures to share now. Will do it when captured.

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This is a fantastic post. Always like to roam inside a light market @AjitThite

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Thanks for the appereciation.

Cheers!

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Wonderful post @AjitThite
We reached the main market of Pune at the right time - when the festive vibes are taking shape :+1:

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You’ve explained pretty well @NandKK ji on the modes of celebration for Diwali in Kolkata.

To add on this as @AjitThite ji asked, although Diwali is not celebrated in as grand a way as Durgapuja here in Bengal, but a national festival like it, is celebrated definitely in every household and neighborhoods in below formats:-

  1. Kalipuja - Ma Kali, the Hindu goddess and a form of Shakti, is celebrated on the Amavasya (new moon) preceding Diwali, in the form of community festival, with installation of temporary pandals. There are pujas hosted for Ma Kali across the state, but grand celebrations do take place in smaller towns such as Barasat, Naihati near Kolkata.
  2. Deepawali - An adjacent celebration to Kalipuja, Diwali, called Deepaboli in Bengali language, is celebrated as a festival of lights. With diya to candles to modern LED bulbs to flying lanterns to a variety of fireworks - the Kalipuja and Diwali evenings are full of fun.
  3. Laxmipuja - Many households host a celebration dedicated to the devotion of Ma Laxmi, which includes both Bengali and non-Bengali community.
  4. Fanush Utsab - A ritual related to Kalipuja celebration, Fanush are gigantic, balloon-shaped flying lanterns made by hand based on paper, cotton and other regular items, then those are flown into the air after lighting up from the bottom. These take over the skyline of Kolkata on Kalipuja early evening.
  5. Drone Show - In recent times, drone shows are also hosted in specific grounds in Kolkata (eg Park Circus Maidan, Deshbandhu Park), where swarms of drones are put to the sky to light up in different colors and create formations such as Rangoli, fireworks, Ma Kali representation, rituals and other regional and national achievements.
  6. Dhanteras - Two days before the new moon of Kalipuja, Dhanteras is celebrated here as a financial festival just like the rest of the country. From evening stock trading to puja in local shops and businesses, from shopping offers to gifts for customers - Dhanteras is considered as a blessing for businesses.
  7. Bhoot Chaturdashi - One day before the Kalipuja new moon, the evening is dedicated to the departed souls of our ancestors. 14 set of candles/diyas are set across different corners of the house, 14 types of saag vegetable are consumed on that night.
  8. Annakut - On the afternoon of Diwali, the bhog (usually, khichdi, pulao, beguni, sabji, sweets - sometime includes mutton/fish too) offered to Ma Kali, is distributed among the devotees, and large food fests happen for everyone in the neighborhood.
  9. Bhai Phonta - Also called Bhai Dooj/Bhratri Dwitiya, it is hosted on the day next to Diwali, when sisters pray for prosperity for brothers by putting a sign of blessing on their foreheads.
  10. Halloween - In recent times, the GenZ and pop culture enthusiasts often involve in the western cultural celebration of Halloween, which has many parallel themes like Diwali and its related festivals. It includes cosplays, spooky themes, trick or treat and many interesting features. Although Halloween has a specific date in the west, it is usually celebrated here around the festival of Diwali due to similarities.
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Woww @AjitThite Happy Diwali :diya_lamp: and what a beautiful spread of diwali vibes.

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