Archive for the ‘celebrations’ Category

Nope, not this year.  (Well, maybe just a little – it’s hard to go back to life as usual after all that excitment!)

As we mark the final day of Diwali today, I am reflecting on some trends I noticed this holiday season.  Trends that are encouraging and give me hope that the beauty of the Diwali celebrations is finally catching on – finally being recognized and acknowledged even by non-Indians.

Yes, folks, this year Diwali was bigger, louder and as a community I think we really made some noise!

Here are some of my notes:

1.  Senate Resolution 291 – a resolution recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains – was passed by unanimous consent in the Senate on October 21, 2011.  Full text here.

2.  We got a special Diwali Greeting by President Obama (again) this year.

3.  I noticed more of my family members and Indian friends and business colleagues took the day off from work and school on Diwali this year. 

4.  My Inbox was filled with many messages from my non-Indian friends and colleagues wishing ME and my family a Happy Diwali.  This felt wonderful.

5.  Last but not least, I noticed more people were shopping for their kids compared with last Diwali season.  Although it is my personal hope that Diwali will not become overly commercialized and remain focused on family and spirituality, I am sincerely happy that more and more families are actually celebrating Diwali with (and for) their children.

Thank you all for letting Gnaana be a part of your Navratri and Diwali celebrations.  I hope the energy and excitement we tried to create on our site, and the articles and resources we offered helped to make your holiday season extra special.

And let’s make even more noise next year!

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Play this beautiful Lakshmi Aarti.  For lyrics, see here.

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I credit this idea to my friend Suma – who typed up a menu during the holidays last year and posted it on Facebook.  Something about having it in writing that adds to the excitement – and, for sure, a keepsake memory.  Thanks for a terrific idea Suma!

Many of the recipes are adapted from The Chota Chef – so the kids will be helping me in the kitchen.  The jalebi, laddoos and mithai are store-bought (no, I’m not that ambitious).  We’ll be doing our Diwali Dinner tonight, as tomorrow we’ll be with our family and friends.

So here’s our menu – nothing too fancy – just about all I can handle with 2 young kids.  What’s on your menu?

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This is really cute!  So Micky and Donald try to make 400 kgs of laddoos and 200 kgs of jalebi – only to be saved by Minnie’s mithia boxes.

And it all ends with – what else – firecrackers!  Happy Diwali, kids! 

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Well, 2 parties actually. 

The first was an impromptu one we threw last Sunday at our house – a combination Diwali and Halloween Craft Party.  If anything, it forced us to hang up all our Diwali lights and decorations (and stockpile more from what we made at the party).  It was a very simple and stress-free party really – we laid out 2 huge tarps in our backyard, plopped down all our art supplies (paints, brushes, stamps, marker, glue, craft punces, etc.) and had the kids do their messy thing (and WOW, did it get messy!).  I made some chaat and chutney and catered the rest from our favourite Thai restaurant.  We played tag and Duck-Duck-Goose.  I don’t know about the kids, but it was the most fun I’ve had in a long time!

The second was this past Wednesday in my daughter’s class.  We decorated sheets of cardstock and made kandils (paper lanterns) in preparation for a big United Nation’s Day celebration at my kids’ Montessori school on Monday (which conveniently corresponds with HAF’s designated National Teach Diwali in School Day – so my kids get to come to school dressed in their Indian clothes and take part in multicultural food and presentations.  Yours truly will be making Mini Moon Momos (from The Chota Chef) and teaching garba and dandiya steps.).

I’m also in love with these glitter pumpkins thought up by Designwali – a perfect blend of Halloween and Diwali sparkle.  These are on my list for next year’s parties!

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You’re busy – just getting adjusted to the fall schedule – and BAM, you realize Diwali starts in less than a week!  For those of us living outside of India, we often have to drum up our own excitement.  In a perfect world, if you had all the time you needed to prepare, your house would be immaculate, lit-up inside and out with diyas and string lights and you would have 10 dishes prepared to feast on after the puja.

The things you could do to prepare for such a big holiday are limitless in number.  But don’t be overwhelmed and let Diwali slip by.  Here are 10 simple things you can do over the next few days to make Diwali a special event in your home:

1. Clean!  At least just 1 room. Or even your front porch and foyer.  There is something spiritually therapeautic about clearing up dust and clutter.  If you have a cleaning service, perhaps they can make an extra visit this week.

2.  Decorations:  Put up at least 1 special decoration – be it a craft you make with the kids or something festive that you can purchase.  Featured above are our very popular Diwali Origami Garlands – a simple, quick and high-impact decoration that will brighten up your room.

3.  Diyas & Lights:  You can purchase simple tea light holders (like those pictured above) for about $1 each at your local crafts store and also 50 or 100 packs of tea lights for a few dollars.  Place them on your fireplace, tables and stairways (but be strategic if there are young children in the house).  If you have string lights, wrap them up your banister or around a feature window. 

4.  A Small Present for Kids:  This doesn’t have to be elaborate – but something small that will put a smile on their faces and for them to remember Diwali by.  A new book signed and dated is one idea.

5.  Distribute Sweets:  To your neighbors and/or your kids’ classmates (see here for an idea).  This warm act of kindness is what makes Diwali special.

6.  Do Something Good:  Donate your time or money to your local temple or other preferred group.  Or have your kids donate their unused books and toys.

7.  Family Time:  On the day of Diwali – Wednesday, October 26th – make it a “family day.”  Take the day off if you can, or at least bring the kids home early.  Cook together or go out to dinner.

8.  Puja:  You can make this as short or elaborate as you like, but nothing brings Diwali into a home like the ring of a prayer bell.  Use our Step-By-Step Puja Tutorial and involve your kids.

9.  Special Meal:  Plan it out by devising a menu.  Create a beautiful table setting with diyas or candles.

10. Take Pictures!  Get dressed up, have fun with sparklers and take family pictures.

So get started - what are you waiting for?

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The beauty of Diwali lies perhaps in its inner meaning – a recognition of the goodness that flickers within all of us.  We give sweets and cheer to friends and neighbors as a gesture of kindness – without expecting anything in return.  The focus of this holiday is not so much on shopping and gifts, but rather on preparing our homes with diyas,  flowers and abundant food to welcome the divine. 

Music and prayer are a must during Diwali – as are sacred mantras and songs – reflecting the importance we give to these divine words.  A good way to stress the importance of these words is to decorate and display them.  If it’s in sight, it’ll be in the mind.

Here, we decorated the Lakshmi Aarti – sung at the end of the Diwali Lakshmi Puja.  Using pretty cardstock, stamps and jewel stickers, this art is worthy of display in your living room or prayer area.  It’s also a good way to encourage members of your family to learn the words.

You can use any song or mantra that is special to your family, but if you decide to use the Lakshmi Aarti, the text can be found here.  Also, Isha Music has produced a beautiful rendition of the Aarti – so play this in the background to create a festive mood this Diwali (click here).

Also, don’t forget to involve your kids in your puja – you can use our immensly popular Diwali Puja Tutorial for Kids that we circulated last year, which will explain and guide them step-by-step through the puja process.

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I saw this last year on Modernica‘s website:  the Superstar Holiday Tree.  It’s been called a “Christmukkah Tree” – supposedly suitable for families who celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah (note the Star of David shapes).

Would you use this as a Diwali Tree?  A place to hang ornaments – and a place to gather Diwali gifts?  Would we be copycats or just assimilating a new tradition?

Made of natural baltic birch wood, the tree is designed to be reused year after year.  It comes in 2 sizes – large ($240) and small ($125).  But hold your horses – the tree is not available for another few weeks (yes, after Diwali).

Too bad Modernica didn’t think to market it as a Diwali Tree too.

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Have you spoken with your child’s teacher yet about doing something for Diwali in the classroom?  If not, you really should.  Trust me, it’s a lot of fun – and your kids will feel special, empowered and also appreciate that their culture can be made relevant in their school world.

Diwali this year falls on Wednesday, October 26th (Main Day) – just 3 weeks away  – so now is the time to schedule the date for your presentation.  If you plan on taking a vacation day and keeping the kids home from school on the 26th to celebrate, then you’ll want to schedule for earlier in the week.

How do you begin?  What will kids enjoy?  The Hindu American Foundation has put together a terrific Diwali Toolkit – specifically for the purpose of teaching Diwali in Schools.  It comes complete with an itinerary, colouring pages, a powerpoint presentation, explanations and craft ideas – so this is a great place to start.

In my experience, I have found that most of my kids’ non-Indian classmates are unfamiliar with even the basic concepts of Indian culture.  So presenting a huge concept such as Diwali – in a brief period of time – is a daunting task.  One year, all the Indian parents in my son’s class got together around Diwali (his class was 20% Indian) and we spent a full morning taking turns and speaking to the children about India in general and we played music, told stories, did a dandiya dance and had a full-on feast for the kids.

Not everyone has resources (or time) for such an extravagant presentation, so here are my tips for presenting Diwali in school:

1.  Dress in traditional clothes and start by telling the children that you’ll be learning a little about India and one of the biggest holidays celebrated there.  Ask the kids if they know where India is on the map – and then have a volunteer point to it on a classroom map.
2.  Teach the kids how many people in India say “hello” (Namaskaar, Namaste, etc.) and talk a little about what you’re wearing (salwar, bindi, bangles, etc.).
3.  Launch into the subject of Diwali.  I find it effective to keep the presentation organized by using the acronym in the above picture: 
      “D” is for “Diya” (how Diwali/Deepavali means “row of lights” and how people place rows of diyas in their homes and courtyards to dispell darkness;
      “I” is for “Inner Light” (how Diwali is in essence a celebration of the inner light – the goodness – in all of us;
      “W” is for “Worship” (how Hindus worship Ganesha and Lakshmi for good fortune and prosperity, and also how different groups in India observe the holiday – Sikhs (Bandhi Chorh Diwas), Jains and Bengalis);
      “A” is for “Art” (how rangoli, paper lanterns and children’s crafts are popular activities);
      “L” is for “Legends” (how there are different legends associated with Diwali – Rama’s homecoming, Krishna/Narakasura, etc.); and
      “I” is for “International” (how Diwali is actually celebrated all over the world – the UK, Australia, Thailand, Malayasia, Africa, etc. – which helps kids understand the true globalism of this holiday).
4.  A simple thing to do is to read a book.  My favourite is Rama and the Demon King – it’s just the right length.
5.  If you have the time, do a craft.  I may do paper lanterns (kandil) this year (see here and here) because they are easy to string and hang up in the classroom during the week and quickly add to a festive atmosphere.  Kids can then take them home at the end of the week.  Another idea is to pre-make large rangoli patterns and have kids decorate in groups (about 6 to a pattern).
6.  In lieu of a craft, you can also demonstrate an Indian food recipe (our Chota Chef Recipe Cards are perfect for this!).
7.  At the end, have your child walk around to each of his/her classmates. exchange “Happy Diwali” and hand-out a little sweet (see my fun cone-shaped boxes we handed out last year).

If you’re unable to fit anything in this month, you can do a cultural presentation anytime during the school year.  Here are some (not-necessarily-Diwali-related) activities I’ve done in the past (and any of these can be incorporated into a Diwali presentation):

*  The Surya Namaskar (do this outside if you can)
*  Veena recital (with an oral story woven in to demonstrate the sounds of the veena)
*  Spice Smelling Game (blindfold kids and have them identify spices via smells – divided into teams)
*  Teach simple steps of garba and dandiya dances (this was a big hit!)
*  Cooking presentation (we did Jungle Chutney from The Chota Chef)
*  Read What Should I Make? and made different objects with chapati dough (great for 2-4 year olds) – I made veg-stuffed parathas as a snack so kids could taste cooked chapatis (these are softer than plain chapatis).

UPDATE:  The Hindu American Foundation has declared Monday, October 24, 2011 as National Teach Diwali in School Day.  For further information, click here.

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First things first:  You need something to wear, right?

Today we introduce to you our first Navratri Giveaway Sponser:  Borrow It Bindaas!

Their tagline is “Like – Borrow – Return” and they offer a curated selection of stunning designer sarees, suits, jewelry and accessories that you can either buy or borrow.  If you covet a show-stopping outfit for every party, festival or wedding on your agenda – but you don’t want to plunk down serious cash each time – Borrow It Bindaas gives you a great solution!

Each saree rental comes with everything you need  - 2 blouses (so you can pick and choose), petticoat and even matching bindis and safety pins.  You can also add-on coordinating jewelry.  After you’re finished, you simply place everything in their pre-paid mailer.  For more information see their How It Works page.

Borrow It Bindaas is offering a $100 Gift Certificate towards a purchase or rental in their boutique – so here’s your chance to try them out!

ENTER HERE
AND make sure to join their Facebook Page.
(or if you don’t have a Facebook account, Email us at blog{at}gnaana{dot}com and tell us: Who is your female role model?)

WINNER for this prize will be announced at midnight EST on Wednesday, October 5th – so make sure to enter before then!

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