How Bangalore celebrates Diwali

Balajigas
Haripriya of Thamasu fame says she loves the festival as it brings back old memories. “We belong to a caste called Balajigas. According to our tradition, we wake up early in the morning and wear new clothes. We then go to Lord Venkateshwara temple, where we get a holy band tied to our wrists,” she says.
Balajiga men wear a yellow band while the women wear a red band on their hands.

They also gift an anklet to Goddess Lakshmi, praying for prosperity. “We love crackers, which is the highlight of the festival. We used to buy rickshaw-loads of crackers. This year, too, I want to make noise in my neighbourhood,” Haripriya says. Balajigas make jamoon, kajaya and khara boondi for Deepavali and invite friends and family to savour the dishes.
 
Chitrapur Saraswaths
Radhika Pandit, of Moggina Manasu fame, says Deepavali is all about a relaxed, traditional day. Crackers and masti are saved for the evening. “We belong to a caste called Chitrapur Saraswats. Traditionally, we have a festival even on the day prior to Deepavali. It is called Jal Puja, where we worship water and we store water for cooking and bathing the next day,” she says.

Chitrapur Saraswaths also follow rituals that they perform on the morning of Deepavali. “Deepavali is not complete without an oil bath. We wake up very early and after the bath, we eat sweets as it’s a good omen. Then the masti with crackers begin. We love crackers and Deepavali, like most Indians, is about bursting crackers,” she says.
 
Iyers
Priyamani, who belongs to Iyer community, celebrates Deepavali with diyas (earthern lamps) and fireworks. “Even as kids, we used to buy lots of fireworks. I love bursting bijli and then Lakshmi crackers. Prayers are very simple and the sweets are special. Milk sweets like tharati pal [condensed milk burfi] are famous among Iyers and we make them at home and offer it to Goddess Lakshmi,” she says.
 
Punjabis
For Punjabis, Deepavali is the year’s biggest festival. Ragini Dwivedi, of Kalla Malla Sulla fame, says Deepavali usually means having a blast with her family.

“We perform Durga Puja and Dhan Lakhmi Puja. We usually prepare two days in advance. We make many milk sweets and begin decorating the house a day prior to the festival,” she says.
After this, the Punjabis buy gold and utensils, representing the coming of a new, prosperous year.

“This is a very important ritual for us. We buy gold and some utensils and keep it in front of gods, praying for peace and prosperity,” she says.  Punjabis love fireworks and buy them in bulk. “Even this is kept near the God and then we start bursting them in the evening. Punjabis love fireworks and noise. We love the lights and diyas too. We have grand celebrations every year for Deepavali,” she adds.

Jains
For Jains, too, this is a very important festival. This marks the anniversary of the day when their 24th Thirthankara, Lord Mahaveer, attained Nirvana. The Jain community celebrates it with little noise but a lot of light. “Since it is the day our Guru attained Nirvana, we celebrate Deepavali in a very quiet manner. We start with Lakshmi Pooja or Dhanteras the previous day. We buy gold or utensils, which is kept in front of the Goddess Lakshmi along with new clothes,” says Manish Kuhad, a resident of Bangalore.

Kaju katli, laddus and almond barfis are made at home and close friends and family take part in the traditional lunch preparations. “The men of the house also involve themselves in the cooking. We love to cook and eat the dishes we prepare after serving it to God,” he says.
 
Gujaratis
For Gujaratis, Deepavali is a big festival after Janmashtami. “We make traditional sweets and chandeliers at home and hang them in the porch. This is done a day or two before the festival. Diyas and crackers are the usual, but sweets like kaju katli and jalebi are made at home,” says Deepti, a resident of Bangalore.
Gujaratis celebrate Dhanteras by buying new clothes, gold and utensils. “This is a sign of prosperity,” she said.