On this auspicious day, we asked our listeners what they miss the most about Diwali celebrations in India: the buzz at home, or the earthen lamps on the floor; the ladoos and the jalebis, or the whiff of agarbattis? The flavour in the meals or the lights on the streets?
The answers were many and mostly steeped in a familiar sense of nostalgia.
Whilst some ruminated over the homemade sweets, others said they miss the rat-a-tat of the fireworks, but what they miss so dearly is the time spent in the company of their families and the ubiquitous love that filled the air back then and continues to color their childhood memories, till today.
When I was a child, Diwali used to be a month-long affair at my birthplace in Amritsar, reminisces Hansita Singh who told SBS Punjabi that “she hates the fact that she is working on Diwali, while everyone back home is eating away.”
Indians in Australia miss the Diwali cheer at 'home'. Source: Public Domain
“But I am determined to save the rest of the day, and make sure I gobble as much good food, as my friends and family are devouring in Amritsar,” added Ms Singh, who is feeling the pinch a little harder, since she is celebrating her first-ever Diwali, away from home.
Melbourne-based Simreet Dua who like Ms Singh is also from Amritsar said she misses the fireworks and the decorations at the Golden Temple.
“I miss going to the Golden Temple on this auspicious day. We used to do path at home, me and my sister would decorate the house with lights and rangoli- I miss doing all of these things,” said Ms Dua.
Another one of SBS Punjabi’s listeners Ravneet Singh said what he misses the most is the cheer of home and the card sessions with cousins, that would start days ahead of Diwali.
A Sikh boy lights candles near the sacred pond at the Golden Temple on the occasion of Diwali festival in Amritsar, India, 30 October 2016. Source: AAP / EPA / Raminder Pal Singh
“As a child, I used to love bursting crackers at night. And the card sessions that would begin at our home, days ahead of Diwali. On the day, we would go to the grudwara, sit together and eat-you don’t get that kind of love or feel here,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gundeep Kaur said what she misses the most are the festivities and the hustle at home.
“We used to have so much to do, hardly used to have any time to sit. And here, there is literally nothing to do. Everyone is at work, doesn’t feel like Diwali,” said Ms Kaur.
Pawandeep Singh from Brisbane said he misses his mother, her affection and her cooking.
Diwali is celebrated by fireworks, new clothes, the sharing of gifts and sweets and spring cleaning the home. (Getty) Source: Getty images
“I miss my mother and the amazing food she used to cook on Diwali. The time spent in the company of friends and family and the earnestness with which we used to sit and pray, miss it all, “ said Mr Singh.
Jai Sharma adds that he too misses “family time, the new clothes, the good food and the friends stopping by".
