The treasured memories of Diwali

There are four festivals I remember enjoying in my childhood. Ugadi (Telugu new year), Sankranthi (harvest festival), Vinayaka Chavithi  and Deepavali (Festival of lights). There are many other festivals too like Dussehra, Varalakshmi vratham, Krishnashtami, Maha shivaratri, Nagula chavithi, Karthika Poornima etc., but the four festivals that I mentioned have complete family participation. We celebrated them together as a family and they were not meant for only pooja.

I have lots and lots of memories associated with Deepavali from childhood. Now, being in another country, this is the time I mostly miss my home and our country.

"We didn't realize we were making Memories, we just knew we were having fun." - Unknown

Diyas, Candles, and Light
We used to buy diyas (pramidalu) made of clay before Diwali, light them and place them on Diwali night at every corner of the house both outside and inside. 'Deepavali' (in Telugu) means an array of lights. Our houses will be glowing on Diwali nights with beauty and light. We, as kids used to help our mother in arranging these diyas and ensuring that oil is refilled at the right time for them to glow continuously.

Flower rangoli with candles

Firecrackers
We used to love firecrackers as children. Our uncle used to buy the longest sparkler so that we aren't afraid to hold it while it's burning. We used to put a bucket of water to dispose of used crackers then and there. I love flower pots and Ground chakras more than anything. I never liked the noise of 1000 walas but the beauty of the light that crackers generate is pleasing to the eyes.

Fireworks - Flower pots

Rangoli
After my marriage, I started a tradition of making a big colorful rangoli on Diwali evening to decorate it with flowers and lighted diyas. I used to spend 1 to 2 hrs on rangoli but always enjoyed that time. My kids help me now in decorating rangoli with flowers. I used to buy scented candles and floating candles to decorate for Diwali. I don't like the electric array of lights but I am crazy about different types of candles.

Rangoli made by me

Diya Painting
I started painting the clay diyas from last 4 years and I enjoy doing it with my older son (6 years).  Sometimes, we both used to paint diyas with acrylic paints and gift them to relatives and friends or just use them at our home on Diwali.

Basic Diya painting

Sweets
I am not a foodie, so I don't enjoy indulging in sweets but my mother used to prepare 'bobbatlu' for Diwali, which I love the most. Sometimes, she used to cook 'Gulab Jamun' too and tamarind rice. After my marriage, I tried Gulab jamun but couldn't prepare to my satisfaction. We used to buy dry fruits and sweets (Motichoor laddu) to gift to our friends and relatives on Diwali. I think preparing and distributing sweets is an inherent part of this festival.

juicy gulab jamun Pc:www.pixabay.com

So, that was from my treasured memories of Deepavali festival.  How do you celebrate Diwali?
I wish all my readers a very happy and safe Diwali.

Until next time,

Linking this to #MondayMusings hosted by Corinne, #HappySunday linky party hosted by Menaka, Vasantha, and Anubhuthi and Linking this to #QuotedStories hosted by Upasna and Rohank. Also, linking this to #ChattyBlogs by Shanaya.

Hot air balloon liftoff #WordlessWednesday

There is a tradition to lift off hot air balloons every year on labour day in Colorado springs.

This particular balloon just touching the water looked amazing.

More snaps below:

Until next time,

Linking this to #HappySunday link party hosted by Vasantha, Anubhuti and Menaka. This post is written for the prompt "special moments in your town". 

Also, linking this to #WordlessWednesday hosted by Esha and #WritingWednesdays  hosted by Corinne.

A teacher can transform your life #HappyTeachersDay

During childhood, we usually trust and respect our parents and then our teachers than anyone else. Their teachings have more impact on our lives even at later stages. This quote beautifully explains what a good teacher does.

Photo by Megan Soule on Unsplash

I was shy, self-centered and narrow-minded in my childhood. There was one teacher, Mrs.Radhamani in my high school. She was our Telugu teacher. She was very strict and we were scared of not answering any question in her class. Once, she chose me for a red cross camp in Shimla and I was too scared to go for that camp and stay 15 days away from home. I never stayed away from home till that point but agreed because of my parents' encouragement. I knew her only as a strict teacher till I went to the camp, but my perspective about her completely changed when I returned. She was caring to all of the students, she loved us, she made us comfortable, encouraged us to participate in many events in the camp, she appreciated our every small effort, helped us to overcome our fears. I remembered giving a speech for the first time in my life before a bigger audience because of her encouragement. My Favourite teacher is no more but I believe, her blessings are with me.

Sometimes, we don't even know what we can achieve in our lives until our parents/ teachers/ friends encourage us to take the first step to overcome our fears. The first step to overcome our fears is very important, right? I could take that step and change myself because of my teacher. It sure changed my life for the better.

Do you have any such memories about your teacher? Please do share in comments.

Happy Teacher's day to all the great teachers. We are what we are now because of you.

Until next time,

Linking this to

 #QuotedStories hosted by Upasna and Rohank.
#MondayMusings hosted by Corinne
#HappySunday linkup hosted by Menaka, Vasantha and Anubhuti
#ChattyBlogs by Shanaya