Hello, All my Indian brothers and sisters and the young generation.
Happy Navratri and Vijayadashami,
Greetings for the upcoming festivals of Diwali- Dhantrayodashi, Narak Chaturdashi, Laxmi-puja, Balipratipada, Bhaubeej. Then Tulsi Vivah.
I read some posts posted in the community and how the celebration goes there. When we were in India we had some celebrations with my family it was a long time ago. My husband and I do celebrate here in Norway. No lighting, no Garba, no Mithai shopping, no visits, no fireworks.
I buy lots of dry fruits and different nuts, fruits. Make our mithai at home. (But no lack of chocolates, cakes but that is not our tradition I don't use that for our religious celebration. We do celebrate with friends, and in-laws thank giving Christmas, easter, and new year celebration and eat enough cakes and chocolates cookies).
This festival time from Ganesh to Diwali what fun and enjoyment we get in India with friends and family that part is missing here in a totally different country, and culture.
These photos from last time we were in India and celebrate Diwali with my family.
Missing all that fun with family and friends.
But I am lucky to have a very open-minded and spiritual husband who believes in our Hindu religion and respects all Hindu Gods and rituals and support me with his participation.
Actually, which area are we living here I am the only Hindu person here. And there is no way to get any celebration chances with somebody from India.
But we celebrate as much as possible way. even not getting pooja Samugri but flowers, lamps, homemade sweets, and my experience of doing rituals. my husband's support we do celebrate all IMP festivals from south India, Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka. Ganesh Chaturthi, Dasara, Diwali. Tulsi Vivah we travel to India.
We start with Ganesh Chaturthi. Pooja, materials are not available nearby where we live. for any festival, we have to take 2 hour's trip and after that not sure if we will use it for pooja. we tried sometimes to get puja things but didn't work.
Then I decided whatever is available around us we use that and do our celebrations.
As soon as Shravan comes we start preparing for all special festive days every day is a special every day pooja-path, vegetarian festive-food until Ganesh Visarjan.
One week before Ganesh Chaturthi I collect clay from my ceramic artist friend. I made our own eco-friendly Ganesh. Five days we are very happy and celebrate with very good energy. Five days just for Ganesh five days no work. The Visarjan day is bit emotional. .
We celebrate whatever ever available, some things for puja I took from India, .
We avoid to make smoke. because of smoke alarm. But oil lamps are no problem.
The garden is full of flowers no lack of flowers. Getting Durva from the Norwegian garden which transported from the Indian garden. Enough vegetables from the garden during Ganesh. ghee, milk, yogurt and honey all time in kitchen.
Puja path, food making food offering, arti. Time goes very fast. sharing food with friends and neighbors, but don't invite them for puja time.
After the Ganesh festival 15 days our regular routines. work schedule
and then Navratri was very quiet, just our prayers and Gods.
Today's thali: VaranBhat, Bhaji, Usal, Puri and Shira/Halva.
DASARA: pooja for all tools, little gratitude for cars, computers, books pens, and a printer. In the kitchen stove fridge knives and a mixer etc. (Can you believe living in a Western country?) home-made sweets and food offerings to God Where we have a small corner for our gods.
Diwali started with Danvantary puja at my work then Narak Chaturdashi with nice abhyanga Snan, puja lots of sweet all homemade. offering to God and we eat a lot. Sharing some sweets to friends and neighbors.
Evening Laxmi puja, Next day new moon, and new Savstar Balipratipada. All the time puja path and different food.
Bhaiteej ek udas din. Missing family.
Diwali time is early winter very windy and rainy we just use lamps indoors, it is not possible outdoor lighting, and decorations the wind blows them out.
But many different food making at home no problem here are some Diwali special from Maharashtra Goa
Khaja, chakli, dadpe pohe.I posted those in ecency and the link is there if somebody interested.
@hindavi/qurator-s-hive-top-chef-55f31fd40f113
@hindavi/easy-healthy-breakfast
@hindavi/savory-snacks
Karanji
Thank you! Once again Happy Dasara and Diwali to all and the @indiaunited community.