Of Poornima, Deepam and lights!




The moon is the center of attraction today! While for some, it is the glorious Poornima, for others, it is the equally mystical and beautiful eclipse. The moon is beautiful either way!

 

Today is Annamalai Kartigai Deepam, one of the most beautiful festivals of the year. A festival of Deepam and hills and lights! As a child, this festival meant seeing the beautiful brass Vilaku (lamps) lit outside my home by the elders of my family and relishing the sweets prepared as Naivedyam. The sweets included Nai-appam, vella-pori and some paayasam. The limit of my involvement in festivals was just this – watch the beautiful Vilaku and partake of the delicious naivedyam.

 

As I am growing in years, I am learning to be more involved in the celebration, not just as a witness and an enjoyer, but as a doer too! There is a large scope for learning and someday I hope to perfect myself when it comes to preparation of delicacies for festivals.

 

Drawing a Maa – Kolam is the favourite part of festivals for me. Maa – Kolam is made of rice flour grinded nicely into a fine paste. I have developed a ritual of drawing this Kolam on Tuesdays and Fridays. It doesn’t turn out perfect, the Kolam, but it is presentable enough. Today’s Kolam too turned out okay.

 

By evening, most of the sweets were ready. I just prepared Paayasam and made Adai while the rest of the sweets were prepared by my mother-in-law. At 6 in the evening, we watched on TV, the Annamalai Deepam being lit at the divine Thiruvannamalai hill. It was now time to light the lamps at our home. A big brass Vilaku and six smaller ones waited outside the home to be lit. What followed was a humbling lesson for me.

 

My faith and patience were severely tested when a strong wind blew just when the lamps were being lit. It took several attempts, lot of feverishly-whispered prayers to Lord Varuna (and half a box of matchsticks) to finally light all the lamps. Before the wind could extinguish the flames, I quickly snapped some photos.

 

The days of our life pass by one after another in routine. Like a breath of fresh air, the festivals come bringing in a reason to celebrate and to be happy! Wishing lots of brightness, beauty and celebration in your lives! Kartigai Deepam wishes to all of you!

 

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