Diwali KUWAITPREMIER WEEKLY NEWS MAGAZINE

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250 Fils Issue No 713 Established 1996 19 - 25 October 2014

Diwali, or Deepavali as pronounced by some, is the biggest and brightest of all

Indian festivals with religious, historical and spiritual connotations for people across the vast country.

While to the Hindus, it is the religious aspect of Diwali that is highlighted during Diwali, to the Jains and Sikhs it is the sacred and historical implications of the festival that take center-stage. Nevertheless, in all three religions there is a unifying element of spiritual resonance which symbolizes the ultimate victory of light over darkness, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance.

Even among the Hindus, celebration of Diwali varies across India and is based on various regional interpretations of myths and legends

from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. To the Jains, Diwali commemorates the attainment of ‘Moksha’ — the highest and noblest objective of the soul — in the 6th century, by Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last ‘Tirthankar’ or spiritual leader of Jains.

Meanwhile, the Sikhs commemorate Diwali as ‘Bandi Shor Divas’, or Day of Liberation, to celebrate the release of Guru Hargobindji, their Sixth Guru and leader, from Mughal imprisonment in the 17th century.

Despite these variance, Diwali is ultimately a ‘Festival of Lights’ with the word Diwali being a fusion of two Sanskrit words, Dipa or Deepa meaning light or lamp, and Awali meaning a row, series or line. In many parts of India, the festival is celebrated

as the start of a new year in accordance with local Hindu calendars. And, in modern times Diwali has also taken on a more temporal note, with a great deal of shopping, socializing and

entertainment taking place during the five-day festival.

Diwali festival is celebrated over five days with people decorating their homes and businesses with rows of lights. Each of the four days in the

festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and consistent is the celebration

of life, its enjoyment and goodness.Historically, the origin of Diwali can

be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival during the Hindu

month of Kartika. Over time, various legends and myths from the Ramayana and Mahabharata were associated and celebrated with the early agrarian festival.

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from Darkness unto Light

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Ghazal PraveenStaff Writer

No festival is complete without reveling food, and so is Diwali. A profusion of traditional goodies means the festival

of lights might almost be called the festival of

sweets. There are no set menus or recipes for Diwali except for the sweets and snacks that are usually made or brought in readymade. Nevertheless, there are some recipes and dishes that are linked to the festival and food revelers cannot miss them. Diwali is irredeemably associated with a mind boggling

array of sweets, known collectively as ‘mithai’. If there is one element that captures the Indian culinary psyche, it is the mithai, a cross between snack, dessert and confectionery.

To me, Diwali brings along with it memories of childhood; of colors, lights and sights; of menfolk sitting and shelling piles of pistachios, while discussing government, business, market and their new Diwali purchases. Memories of young frivolling kids going around with their Diwali firecrackers and toy-guns mimicking super-heroes and film-stars; of ladies heading outdoors decorating the floor and doorways with bowls of rangoli colors.

However, the most pervasive memory of all is the taste of homemade dishes and snacks, their tantalizing aroma wafting in the air as mother fried them in large pans. Memories of grabbing handful of fresh and hot all-time Diwali favorites like mawa kachoris or gujias. Those little morsels nibbled throughout the day, on their own, with masala chai, or as part of a meal alongside savory items, continue to allure so many moons later. And it is these tempting memories that made me head to the kitchen to try out some of those old recipes, in the fond hope of mimicking the taste that still lingers.

Other snacks include:Chivda: a crisp, savory mixture of any combination

of sev, beaten rice flakes, potato straws, split chickpeas, assorted nuts, fennel seeds, curry leaves and other spices. There are dozens of varieties (sometimes made with popular branded breakfast cereals), and many cities in India are renowned for their own unique versions.

Pakoras: light, fluffy ball-shaped fritters made from potatoes, onions, fenugreek leaves and whole mild chilies dipped in spiced chickpea flour batter and deep fried, are a much enjoyed evening chat-snacks during this festival.

Farsi puri: crisp white plain flour puri spiced with cracked black pepper and cumin seeds, popular amongst kids who snack onto these while fire-crackers become their main predisposition

Chakri: literally meaning ‘spirals’, the ultimate savory snack interestingly shaped with a special hand-held nozzle, is made from rice and chickpea flours, cumin, sesame and ajwain seeds, red chili powder and turmeric. The south Indian version, known as ‘murukku’ comes in different shapes such as ribbons and twists, and is made from urad lentil and rice flour.

Diwali

MemoriesDiwali brings with it myriad ways of enjoying the five-day festival. This festival of light, personified by active socializing, includes visiting families, friends and relatives and sharing

an array of mouth-watering sweets and snacks.

Method• Sieve together 1 cup wheat flour, 1 cup white

flour, ¼ tsp baking soda and salt to taste• Add 1tsp ajwain (carom seeds) and mix with the

rest of the sieved flours• Add 3tbsp oil or ghee and about ¾ cup water

and knead into firm dough• Cover and keep for 30 minutes • Make medium sized balls from the dough and

roll them out on a floured board• With a knife gently make criss-cross patterns on

the rolled dough• Remove the diamond shaped patterns and

deep fry them in hot oil till crisp and golden brown

• Drain the namak pare on paper napkins to remove excess oil and cool.

• Once cooled, store in an airtight container

Namak Pare

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Foodies’ Goodies This fabulously tasty Gujarati sweet

features the goodness of broken wheat and the tantalizing aroma of cardamom.

Heat 3 tbsp ghee in a non-stick kadhai, add 1/2 cup broken wheat (dalia) and cook for 5 to 7 minutes while stirring continuously on a slow flame till golden

Add 2 cups of warm water and cook on a high flame till the water starts boiling. Cook on a slow flame for 15 to 17 minutes stirring continuously. Add 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 tbsp cardamom (elaichi) powder. Mix well and cook on a slow flame for 5 to 7 minutes till the ghee separates. Serve hot garnished with almond and pistachio slivers

Lapsi

Sweets for a Sweet Tooth

Jodhpur is famous for its mava kachoris. Rich dry fruit and mava (khoya) stuffed crisp, deep fried

kachoris are coated in sugar syrup. These kachoris, often called gujjias are a welcome treat at any time of the day.

Ingredients Dough for crust1 cup plain flour (maida)2 tbsp melted gheea pinch of salt

Filling1/2 cup (750g) grated mava (khoya or milk solids)5 to 6 almonds or badam slivered5 to 6 pistachios slivered1/2 tsp cardamom or elaichi powder1 tbsp sultanas1 tbsp sugara few saffron or kesar strands

Sugar Syrup1 cup sugar1/2 cup watera few kesar strands

Ghee for deep frying, a few kesar strands and chopped pistachios for garnish

Method For the dough (crust)Combine all the ingredients and knead well for 5 to 7 minutes into firm dough using enough waterLet it rest under a damp muslin cloth for 10 to 15 minutesDivide the dough into 12 equal portions. Keep aside

For the sugar syrup• Dissolve the sugar in ½ cup of water and boil

the syrup for 4 to 5 minutes• Add the saffron and mix well• Divide the filling into 6 equal portions.• Roll out each portion of the dough into twelve

7cm circles• Place a portion of the filling in the centre of six

dough circle and cover with remaining circles • Seal the ends with a little water and turn the

edges of the kachori decoratively• Deep fry the kachoris in hot ghee over a slow

flame till golden brown • Drain on absorbent paper and allow the

kachoris to cool slightly• Dip the kachoris in the hot syrup. Drain and

keep aside• Serve garnished with saffron strands and

pistachios

While ladoos, barfis and halwas are universally popular,

some of other items like mawa kachori, moti pakand, sohan papdi are more regional specialties requiring

elaborate preparation. It is customary to exchange extravagantly decorated boxes of mithai, dried fruit, nuts on silver serving dishes with family and friends.

Mawa Kachori

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Diwali in and with IndiaIf you are wondering what to do for this year’s Diwali celebration, check out these top destinations and ideas for a memorable time.

Jaipur: Admire the illuminated markets

Much of the beauty of Diwali comes from the warm glow of lights and lamps which adorn

streets, homes, and shops. One of the best places to experience this is in the ‘pink city’ of

Jaipur, in Rajasthan, where not just buildings but whole markets are illuminated. Each year, there is a competition for the best decorated and most brilliantly lit-up market, and the government foots the electricity bill. It is a dazzling display that attracts visitors from all over India. Just like Las Vegas has a ‘Strip’, Johari Bazaar has earned the title of ‘The Strip’ in Jaipur during Diwali.

Goa: Go gaming and watch demon Narakasura get burned

In Goa, the focus of Diwali celebrations is on the destruction of demon Narakasura by Lord

Krishna. Competitions are held in every village and city to see who can make the biggest and scariest effigy of the demon. Some are really huge! They are burned at dawn on Narakasura Chaturdashi, the day before the main day of Diwali. Betting is also a popular activity during Diwali; you might want to try your luck at one of Goa’s top casinos. However, make sure you book well in advance for the floating casinos, as they are very popular at this time of year.

Varanasi: See fireworks over the Ganges RiverVaranasi is a crazy place at any time of year,

but it becomes even more so during Diwali with a constant stream of firecrackers and fireworks going

off all night long. For the best experience, make sure you stay at one of the riverside hotels in Varanasi, so you have a fabulous view of the fireworks over the Ganges. Other highlights are the special Ganga Aarti, ghats illuminated with candles, diyas (earthen lamps) that are floated down the river, and procession of Hindu deities through the streets.

Amritsar: A sacred and golden DiwaliYou may be surprised to learn that although

Best places to be in India for a dazzling Diwali

Dhanteras, this year falling on 21 October, which is also known as Dhantrayodashi is

the first day of five-day long Diwali festivities. On the day of Dhanteras, Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have emerged out of the ocean during the churning of the Milky Sea. Hence, Goddess Lakshmi, along with Lord Kubera who is the God of wealth, is worshipped on the auspicious day of Trayodashi. However, Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya (New Moon night) is considered more significant. Lakshmi Puja on Dhanteras is performed after sunset and approximately lasts for two hours and 24 minutes. Alpana or Rangoli designs are drawn on pathways including the goddess’ footprints to mark the arrival of Lakshmi. Aartis or devotional hymns are sung eulogizing Goddess Lakshmi and sweets and fruits are offered to her. In villages, cattle are adorned and worshiped by farmers as they form the main source of their income.

Dhanteras as the Legend has itThis festival is linked to the story about the

son of King Hima whose stars predicted death on the fourth day after his marriage. The legend goes that when the fourth day arrived, his wife piled up her jewelry at the entrance and lighted lamps everywhere. She kept her husband awake by telling stories and singing songs, so that when Lord Yama, the God of death,

sneaked in the form of a snake, he was dazzled by the glitter of the jewelry and stayed perched on the heap of riches, waiting for an opportunity to bite him. Since the wife kept her husband distracted with her storytelling all night long, Lord Yama decided to leave the place, sparing her husband’s life. Hence, to honor Lord Yamraj, Dhanteras is also called ‘Yamadeepdaan’, and the ritual of keeping a ‘Yama-diya’ burning all through the night follows from this legend.

Another legend says, in the cosmic battle between the gods and the demons when both churned the ocean for ‘amrit’ or divine nectar,

Dhanavantri – the physician of the gods and an incarnation

of Vishnu – emerged carrying a pot of the elixir. So, according to this mythological tale, the word Dhanteras comes from the name

Dhanavantri, the divine doctor.

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Dhanteras Celebrating Wealth

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Diwali in and with India

Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple, is predominated by Sikhs, Diwali is celebrated in a grand way there too. The occasion has been incorporated into the Sikh religion and is particularly significant because it also marks the return from prison of the sixth Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, in 1619. He had been unjustly held for his beliefs, along with many other political prisoners who he helped free. What is more, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on Diwali, in 1577. Expect to see a mesmerizing display of fireworks over the Golden Temple. The Temple complex is also draped in lights, and the edge of the lake fringed with countless oil lamps and candles, lit by devotees.

Mumbai: Go to the cinema and hunt for bargainsIf you feel like having a low-key Diwali, why not

go and see a new release movie? Many big-name Bollywood movies are released in time for Diwali. You will usually find cinemas inside the malls, where shops will be offering plenty of Diwali bargains as well – Diwali is a massive time of the year for shopping in India; just head to any of the many top Mumbai malls. Mumbai’s markets are also best explored during Diwali, particularly Crawford Market and Zaveri Bazaar (where people go to shop for gold and jewelry on Dhanteras, the first day of the festival).

Authentic Aspirations of a Globe Trotter: Global Diwali: Diwali is also celebrated outside of India mainly in Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, Australia and the US among the Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and in general Indians around the world.

Britain: The Indians are the second largest ethnic minority in Britain. To get rid of the feeling of missing their homeland, especially during festival times, the Indians here celebrate most of the festivals. The occasion is marked by visit to the local temple to worship the shrine of Lakshmi, which is set up for Diwali. Eating special sweets, burning of incense sticks, lighting the home and surroundings and the blowing of the conch shell follows the prayer session in the Lakshmi temple. The festival here is celebrated according to the

Hindu calendar hence it falls in the months of October-November, amongst the cold, damp and windy months in Britain. Still the enthusiasm of the festival celebration makes the task of leaving small lamps on windowsills or by open doorways possible ignoring the chill. The lamps and diyas play their part in maintaining the atmosphere of Diwali at home.

Guyana: This northeast coastal country of South America declared the day of the festival of Diwali as a national holiday in the official calendar of Guyana. The tradition of celebrating the festival is believed to have been brought to Guyana in the year 1853 by the first indentured people from India. The legends related to the festival are similar to that of India. The tradition of wearing new cloth for the people of Guyana is significant especially in this festival. They believe that wearing new cloth is the symbol of healthy souls in healthy bodies.

Indonesia: The name Indonesia came from two Greek words: “Indos” meaning Indian and “Nesos” meaning islands. The majority of population follows Islam. Hindus constituent about two percent of Indonesia’s total population. However, the Indonesian island of Bali is famous for celebrating the festival of Diwali, as a majority of the population here are of Indian origins. It is one of the most revered festivals of the locals here in a similar fervor as that of their counterparts in India.

Malaysia: The Hindu community of Malaysia constitutes about eight percent of its total population. The community celebrates Diwali as a symbol of triumph of good over evil. The Malaysian people call Diwali as Hari Diwali. Celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu calendar, the south Indian tradition of oil bath precedes the festivities. It also includes visits to temples and prayers at household altars. Small lamps made of clay filled with coconut oil and wicks are a common sight to signify the victory of Lord Rama, the hero of the Hindu epic Ramayana, over the demon king Ravana. Diwali is celebrated almost all over the Malaysia except in Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan.

Mauritius: Mauritius is an island in the Indian Ocean that lies to the east of Madagascar. This beautiful landmass full of picturesque landscapes and enchanting spots accounts for a 63 percent of Indian majority of which 80 percent follow Hinduism. Hence, celebration of almost all the Hindu festivals in this island is a common phenomenon. In Mauritius, Diwali celebration is an age-old tradition. It holds special significance for the natives, who believe that Diwali has been celebrated even long before the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and his coronation as the king.

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Diwali

Publisher & Editor-In-ChiefTareq Yousuf Al-Shumaimry

Managing EditorReaven D’Souza

P O Box 5141, Safat 13052, KuwaitTel : 24814404, 24810109Fax : 24834815Email : info@timeskuwait.comPrinted in: Arwa Universal Printing Presstareq@timeskuwait.com reaven@timeskuwait.com

Continued from Page 1

While some believe Diwali to be a celebration of the marriage of the Goddess Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu, in Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of Mother Kali, the dark Goddess of strength. Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed God, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshiped in most Hindu homes on this day. Diwali also commemorates the return of Lord Rama as king of Ayodhya in Northern India along with Sita and Lakshman from his fourteen year-long exile, and the vanquishing of demon-king Ravana. In joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya, the capital of Rama, illuminated the kingdom with earthen diyas (oil lamps) and burst fire-crackers. Today, a symbolic re-enactment ‘Ram Lila’, or the killing by Rama of Ravana and the freeing of Sita, takes up center-stage in the ancient town of Ayodhya and elsewhere, with effigies of the ten-headed Ravana is burned.

Like any major festival preparations for Diwali begins days or weeks ahead, with the formal festival limited to five-days beginning two days before the night of Diwali, and ending two days after. Each day of Diwali has its own tale, legend and myth to tell. Sweet treats are exchanged, houses are thoroughly cleaned homes, lit with diyas (lamps) and decorated with rangoli (colorful floor designs) and new clothes are worn.

Dhanteras: In many regions, Dhanteras marks the start of Diwali. This day marks the birthday of Lakshmi - the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari - the Goddess of Health and Healing. Diyas or earthen oil-lamps are lit and kept burning throughout the night in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari. Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. A special Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening.

Naraka chaturdasi: The second day of the Diwali festival is Naraka Chaturdasi marking the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. Homes are decorated with rangoli and women embellish their hands with henna designs. Families are also busy preparing homemade sweets for the main Diwali.

Diwali: The third day of the five-day festival is usually celebrated as the main festive day of Diwali. People don their new clothes, diyas are lit and special pujas are offered to the Goddess Lakshmi. Windows and doors are left open to provide easy access for the Goddess. After the puja people go out and celebrate by bursting fire-crackers. Visits to friends and relatives and exchange of gifts and sweets also take place on this day.

In some places, additional deities usually Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera are honored on this day with offerings and pujas. Blessings are invoked from Lakshmi as she symbolizes wealth and prosperity, while Ganesha symbolizes ethical beginnings and is a fearless remover of obstacles. Saraswati symbolizes music, literature and learning and Kubera symbolizes book keeping, treasury and wealth management. Among some business communities, new account books for the year ahead are opened.

Padwa: The day after Diwali celebrates the love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband. The husbands give gifts to their wives on this day. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited to parents’ home for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for this important day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees perform Govardhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna.

Bhai Dooj: The last day of festival, called Bhai dooj, celebrates the strong relationship and bonds of love between sisters and brothers. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong bond between siblings and is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with prayers for the well-being of their brothers and then get together with the rest of the family to share food.

Significance of Lights & Firecrackers: All the simple rituals of Diwali have significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers is an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains. Tradition of dice games: The tradition of playing dice games on Diwali also has a legend behind it. It is believed that on this day, Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva, and she decreed that whosoever did so, on Diwali night, would prosper throughout the ensuing year.

From Darkness unto Light: In each legend, myth and story of Diwali lies the significance of the victory of good over evil. It is with each Diwali and with the lights that illuminate our homes and hearts, that the truth behind this simple message finds new reason and hope. From darkness unto light — the light that empowers us to commit ourselves to good deeds, that which brings us closer to divinity.

During Diwali, lights illuminate every corner of India and the scent of incense sticks hangs thick in the air, mingled with the sounds of fire-crackers, symbolizing joy, togetherness and hope. This year, if you are away from the sights and sounds of Diwali, light a diya, sit quietly, close your eyes, breathe deeply and concentrate on the this supreme light that illuminates the soul.

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Foods for Five-day Diwali festival

The first day of Diwali, or Dhanteras, is associated with wealth. On this day serving cracked wheat sautéed with ghee and sugar known as ‘lapsi’ is very popular, and may be accompanied by a curry of yard-long beans which, due to their

length, symbolize longevity.

The second day is associated with the elimination of evil spirits. Specialties on

this day include ‘anarasa’ which is a rice-and-jaggery dish that can take up to seven days to prepare. Light, fluffy urad lentil pakoras are eaten alongside the milky rice pudding or kheer.

Diwali day dishes include: Galaka — a curry of courgette-like squash; Ukkarai — a south-Indian originated steamed dish of split chickpea and moong bean batter; Sheera — a fudgy sweet of semolina sautéed with raisins, cashewnuts, cardamom and saffron; Kansar — a steamed fine-grain cracked wheat porridge dolloped with ghee and sugar; Balushahi — a crumbly

doughnuts and Poli —a sweet flatbread stuffed with mashed pigeon peas, saffron and cardamom.

On the fourth day of Diwali, puris may be paired with shrikhand, a chilled pudding made from home-made yoghurt cheese, and mixed vegetable curries, made with as many varieties of vegetables as possible, as this symbolizes year-round culinary riches.

The last day of Diwali is a celebration of the bond between brothers and sisters. Women spend the entire day in the kitchen, making their brothers’ favorite dishes and sweets, and are presented with lavish gifts in return.

DhanterasCelebrating Wealth

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Golden Touch of DhanterasThis day holds special significance for the

business community due to the customary purchases of precious metals, silver articles or at least one or two new utensils on this day. People flock to jewelers and buy gold or silver jewelry or utensils to venerate the occasion of Dhanteras. Many wear new clothes and wear jewelry as they light the first lamp of Diwali while some engage in dice-games.

With Dhanteras — the auspicious day when Indians buy gold — less than a week away, a sustained drop in the price of the precious metal to multi-year lows has brought a lot of cheer for households. The steep fall in price, by over 30 percent in two years, is driven by a stronger US dollar, lower demand of the metal from India and China and lower exchange-traded fund holdings by global institutional investors.

On the occasion, one can buy gold in either the physical form (jewelry, bars and coins) or

invest in gold exchange-traded funds of mutual fund companies. One can also opt for lower karat gold, which is relatively cheaper than 22 or 24 karat. For example, 18 karat gold contains 18 parts gold and 6 parts other metal or metals, making it 75 percent gold. Similarly, 14 karat gold contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts other metal or metals, making it 58.3 percent gold.

Gold Diggers Sold on GoldThis year on Dhanteras the jewelry shops

are ready to capitalize upon the festive demand for gold bullion and jewelry. Branded jewelry retailers have bought forth their special festive and bridal jewelry collections and announced special schemes and discounts on gold and silver merchandises. They know that mothers look for a reason to buy gold and collect it for their daughter’s wedding and Dhanteras gives them yet another chance to add to their daughter’s golden trousseau.

The West can continue with its fixation on platinum and other suave jewelry but we Indians love to bask in the glory of brilliant gold. People indulge in gold shopping according to their budget. Coins, bars, chains, rings, bracelets, bangles, earrings, nose rings, pendants, necklaces, watches – people are simply spoilt for choice when it comes to gold shopping, especially on Dhanteras.

Some like the sober antique jewelry and for some, nothing but the heavy, shiny and chunky gold jewels would do. While this differs from shopper to shopper, as long as it is gold jewelry, everything seems to work. Many shoppers wait around the year for gold prices to drop or for a celebratory occasion to arrive before gifting their family and loved ones with gold.This year’s Dhanteras arrives at the opportune moment when gold prices have fallen sharply. If not now, then when, is the question, when it comes to buying the precious metal for your loved ones to deck up on Diwali.