Diwali diyas.
www.flickr.com user dhondusaxena
I arrived home this evening (after a few wonderfully relaxing and much needed days away in the hills at Matheran -- but more about that later!) to find my neighbor's apartment and our shared balcony already invitingly aglow with lanterns and small clay diyas, in anticipation of the Diwali festival. I contributed by lighting a few of my own, but I really must get properly prepared!
There are only a couple of days to go until the five day Diwali celebrations get underway, starting with Dhanteras on October 26. Shops everywhere are bursting with eye-catching decorations to light up one's home. I've always loved candles, so I really have to resist buying all that's on offer.
During Dhanteras, which is regarded as a special occasion for celebrating wealth, diyas and lamps will be kept burning throughout the night to welcome Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, into homes across the country.