DARPAN DIWALI 2022

WHAT MATTERS.

PROTECT WHAT MATTERS.

During the festival of Diwali, family is more important than ever. Take time to ensure yours is protected.

During the festival of Diwali, family is more important than ever. Take time to ensure yours is protected.

With more than 15 years’ experience, Raman helps individuals and family businesses plan for the future and avoid costly estate litigation. Built upon core values of understanding and trust, the advice clients receive is practical, cost-effective and tailored to their unique circumstances.

With more than 15 years’ experience, Raman helps individuals and family businesses plan for the future and avoid costly estate litigation. Built upon core values of understanding and trust, the advice clients receive is practical, cost-effective and tailored to their unique circumstances.

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Diwali Magazine

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Welcome Light in Your Homes & Hearts

By Naina Grewal

Upon the cusp of dusk, hundreds of auras fill the October air with their golden glow. Divas adorn the city from the holiest places of worship to the comfort of family homes. The warmth and wholeness of a fresh essence transcends deep within the hearts of those that witness it. A celebration of oneness and optimism, this is Diwali – the festival of lights.

Diwali teaches us to take a step towards ourselves and initiate selflove and positivity. Through the spark within you, that light then shines bright on everyone around you. Take this opportunity to erase the grievances of the past and revive forsaken relationships.

Literally translating to a line (awli) of clay lamps (deepa/deewa), Deepawli has over time become a representation of religious, cultural and social senti ments. From a historical standpoint, Diwali marks the return of King Rama to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Raavana in Hin du mythology. Diwali is also interpreted as the start of a new financial year. As win ter engulfs the crops, farm ers seal the last harvest of the season by praying to Goddess Lakshmi for financial prosperity in the upcoming year.

In Sikhism, the day of Di wali coincides with the cel ebration of Bandi Chorch Divas, signifying the day that Guru Hargobind Sa hib Ji (the sixth Guru) freed 52 kings with himself as he was released from Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s prison. Whichever angle of history relates with you most, your childhood may have been laced with such sagas or similar variations that trace back the origins of the fes tival. Till date, across coun tries, devotees continue ig niting the purity of religious traditions with feelings of humility, appreciation and love.

Undoubtedly, though, it is really the five senses that undergo a treat during the time of Diwali. Music fills the air with a nostal gic undertone, reviving old memories and paving the road to make new ones. The house is bursting with aromatic invitations of vari ous delicacies and sweets. Little ones run around with their outfits in excitement of wearing them for the eve ning. The visual delight is unparalleled as braids of light gently immerse neigh bourhoods in their radiance and luminosity.

However, these lights transition much beyond the materialistic realm. While

The festival is incomplete if the light and ambience does not touch your inner being. The mighty flame of the deewa is not just a visual showpiece, but rather is a symbol. As light eradicates the darkness of the autumn evening, the warmth and positivity is a ray of hope.

Diwali very much so is a combination of the afore mentioned elements, the festival is incomplete if the light and ambience does not touch your inner being. The mighty flame of the deewa is not just a visual showpiece, but rather is a symbol. As light eradicates the darkness of the autumn evening, the warmth and positivity is a ray of hope.

In the moment which you light the wick and place it on your balcony with your very hands, real ize that you have the same power in your life. No matter how much you seek mean ing from external sources to bring purpose into your life,

has the potential to turn any situation into an obstacle or stepping stone towards something better.

Diwali teaches us to take a step towards our selves and initiate self-love and positivity. Through the spark within you, that light then shines bright on ev eryone around you. Take this opportunity to erase the grievances of the past and revive forsaken rela tionships. A humble ges the control is really in your hands. All situations, in your favour or not, are subjec tive. It is your perspective that moulds any situa tion into one that helps or worsens your state of be ing. The lens with which you see each moment in life

In the moment which you light the wick and place it on your balcony with your very hands, realize that you have the same power in your life. No matter how much you seek meaning from external sources to bring purpose into your life, the control is really in your hands.

ture of picking up the phone and wishing someone a Happy Diwali has the power to repair, replenish and enhance bonds. A small, yet fulfill ing greeting is not only joyful on the receiving end, but can be surprisingly rewarding and satisfying for you as well. The light is a constant loop that sur vives from both sides; the more positive your rela tionship is with others, the more rejuvenated your re lationship is with yourself – and vice versa.

Every deewa brightens the world a little more. This year, take every particle of

light you see as your guide and mentor. As you drench yourself in the rich celebra tions of Diwali, recall that the light within you has the privilege to shine much brighter than the limita tions of your imagination. No matter where you are in your journey of life, ap preciate both the hardship and the contentment – it is darkness, after all, that allows light to weave its magic.

This Diwali, with open arms and an open mind, let the pavilion of hope make its presence known as you welcome light in your homes and hearts.

LIGHTS-UP TO CELEBRATE DIWALI IN SURREY

To celebrate Diwali Festival of Lights, Concord Pacific launches Surrey’s first illuminated residential tower.

Concord Pacific’s newly completed Park Boulevard, features a light show of bright dancing lights cascading down the exterior façade for everyone to enjoy during Diwali.

There’s nothing quite like it anywhere else in Surrey. Park Boulevard, one of Surrey’s newest residential towers previews a light display on the entire exterior of the building from Oct 22 to Oct 26, as a symbol of Surrey’s growing vibrance, and cultural vitality. The 42-storey residential tower at 9887 Whalley Blvd. displays bright dancing lights on its façade, cascading up and down the building exterior from level 3 to 41 every 15-minutes like sparkling confetti, making Park Boulevard a delightful sight at night.

Despite the growing number of condominiums, hotels, and o ce spaces in Surrey City Centre, Concord Pacific’s condo towers stand out from the group with distinctive features. They are not just ordinary tall structures but towers with individual, eye-catching, and exceptional aesthetics. As part of Surrey’s emerging skyline, Concord Pacific’s newest PIANO residential tower will make an instant and memorable statement. Defined by striking accentuated curves, smooth lines, and cascading steps reminiscent of a grand piano. This development is Surrey City Centre’s most modern addition.

Surrey Sales Centre

King George Blvd, Surrey

What Diwali means To You

Diwali is a time to celebrate a number of things, from family and friends to good triumphing over evil. It is a blessed festival with peace, harmony and enlightenment at its core. Growing up in Canada or abroad, each of us has a different experience and set of memories of this revered festival. We are happy to share the following Diwali memories with you. Wishing you all a Happy Diwali, may you and your family be blessed with happiness, health and prosperity!

Gurjeet Malhi

I celebrate Diwali with friends and family and with people all around. It is the most magical time of the year. As it is the Festival of Lights, I make sure that our house is well lit up with divas, lamps and candles all over. I visit friends, relatives and busi ness clients and distribute sweets and goodies as it’s the Hindu new year. At home my family and I celebrate by making sweets and delicious food. Of course Diwali is incomplete without fireworks so I do burst crackers and burn fulljaris (sparkles).The best part of Diwali is that the feeling you get that it’s the begining of good times and festivities all around. So many parties to attend and meet people at gatherings. Music, dance , good food, and sweets are in full force. Even though I am from a Sikh family, I participate in religious celebrations of other communities as well without any discrimination.With the Diwali Pooja I engage in with family holds special meaning as it is a time of prayer and blessings for my family as well as the whole world. It’s one of the best time with friends and relatives at home and outdoors as we all cherish the time spent with each other. I am looking forward to this year's Diwali which is being celebrated at our home and a trip to the Gurdwara for prayers.

Simmy Gupta

Diwali is a festival that is very close to my heart. It is not just a time with family and friends but a time to shed away the darkness and negativity from our hearts and welcome light and love into our lives. Each year on Diwali my family and I worship Goddess Mahalax mi who symbolizes unity, fortune, and prosperity. Diwali the Festival of Lights as it is rightly called is also a time of reevaluation for myself and I reflect upon family goals and make a vow within my heart to stay in harmony with others and sustain health and happiness- a real fortune. We do the Puja at home but then I also head to the mandir as I love watching Ram Lila and the kids under stand the deeper meaning of the tale of Ramayan through the theatrical production with narration and actors bringing characters of Ram, Sita, Lakshman and others to life. Diwali is incomplete without great food and mithai. The delicious paneer sabzi, daal makhni, jeera rice, Gulab Jamun, and jalebi are some of my favourites. I am once again looking forward to the warmth of the festivities on the joyous occasion of Diwali by donning on beautiful ethnic wear and going to the temple with my children so they also understand the importance of culture, religion, and celebration.

Wishing You a Very Happy &

Diwali

Ketan Doshi

I am deeply religious and love all the festi vals in the South Asian culture and celebrate them with a ton of enthusiasm but the one that I really cherish over others is Deepawali or commonly known as Diwali. Diwali has now become a global celebration and many commu nities around the world know about it and look forward to celebrating it. A week before Diwali I start cleaning the home, start readying items needed for the puja, go shopping for new clothes, and buy gifts for family and friends. On Dhanteras, which marks the first day of Diwali I buy gold as well as new utensils. On Diwali day, I get up early in the morning and then head to the temple to start the day with blessings from Lord Ram. In the evening, the real festivities of Diwali begin and the sound of fireworks can be heard in the neighbourhood. It gets busy at my place with friends and relatives over as we light diyas together and then we all gather in the puja room and seek blessings of Goddess Laxmi also known as the Goddess of Wealth. Prayer is a time for gratitude welcoming new beginnings, and wishing peace and prosperity for my family and the world for years to come. Once the Pooja is over that when the fun begins with indulging in great food including special Gujarati dishes. Dhokla, Rasmalai, Halwa, Kaju Barfi and Jalebi our some of my favourite. Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali. May you enjoy this auspicious occasion with your dearones and welcome love and light into you hearts and homes.

Rinku & Puneet Agrawal

Diwali is the celebration of overcom ing negativities in our lives with a positive mindset and effort. There is no better way of celebrating your victories than being with your family and friends coupled with good food, fun and fireworks.

Rahul & Ritu Vir

At Diwali we love to illuminate our house and hearts and convey the message of friendship and togetherness. During Diwali, we love to wear our finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of our homes with diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Like most families we prefer purchasing gold during Diwali, especially on Dhanteras (2 days before Diwali). Purchasing gold during Diwali is religiously significant to us as buying gold during Diwali is considered auspicious. The ritual of buying gold during Diwali is like equivalent to inviting Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity to your home. Apart from jewelry, the most preferred items we love to purchase gold coins especially molded for Diwali with Goddess Lakshmi embossed on the front and her symbol Shri embossed on the other side of the coin. We are truly blessed to live in such a multi cultural and diverse city . Over the years Diwali has evolved into a day that is respected and acknowledged by people of all races , cultures and nationalities in Vancouver.

JJ & Harpreet Toor

Diwali has always had and continues to have a special place in our home. The celebration has so many different aspects and each gives the opportunity to put aside work, come together as a family and enjoy each other's company. As children, we enjoyed the sweets, the fireworks, the clothing but as we grow, we learn about how there's more it offers. New beginnings, new ventures and prosperity is only a few to name but such a core part to Diwali. Lighting up the house and celebrating with friends and family brings so much joy that we don't get to experience as we get lost in the daily hustle and bustle.

A significant religious festival in Indian culture, Diwali sees millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world on this day every autumn.

The Diwali Importance of

By Arun Wali

The Festival of Lights, commonly known as Diwali or Deepavali in India and in countries all over the world, is the most important festival for Indians. The celebrations signify triumph of good over evil, purity over impurity and light over darkness. A significant religious festival in Indian culture, Diwali sees millions attend firework displays, prayers and celebratory events across the world on this day every autumn.

Diwali is also celebrated in a big way by the diaspora in Britain, the USA, Canada, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Thailand, New Zealand, Tanzania, South Africa, Netherlands, Canada, and Ireland.

from Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s custody.

Celebrations include lighting of candles at gurdwaras, singing shabads (sacred songs) in praise of the Guru, langar (free meal served to visitors at community kitchens in

gurdwaras), and bursting of fireworks.

Jains celebrate it as the day when the 24th and last Jain Tirthankara Lord Mahavira, attained Moksha, that is, liberation of the soul. Lord Mahavira attained Moksha at Pawapuri in the Nalanda district of Bihar at the dawn of the Amavasya (new moon).

The presence of many Gods on the occasion illuminated the darkness. The following night was pitch-black, so people light up their houses to symbolically keep the light of their Master’s knowledge alive.

The five-day Festival of Lights coincides with the Hindu New Year. Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day festivities. It is an auspicious and lucky day for buying expensive goods, also a day to offer charity.

Apart from India, countries having an official holiday for Diwali are Fiji, Guyana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Diwali holds significance not only for Hindus but also for followers of Sikhism and Jainism. Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chhor Divas (Prisoner Release Day) to commemorate the release of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind along with 52 Rajput princes

Photos: iStock, DARPAN Archives, Wikipedia

DiWALi Feature

The fourth day, first day of the New Year in the Hindu calendar, is known as Goverdhan Puja. On this day Lord Krishna lifted Govardhan Hill to shelter villagers from torrential rains. As a tribute, food is prepared for distribution. Bhai Dooj, on the fifth and last day, celebrates strengthening of ties between brothers and sisters.

Welcoming Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, many Indians decorate their homes with diyas (small clay lamps) or candles, draw colourfully

Dhanteras marks the beginning of the five-day festivities. The second day is celebrated as the main day of Diwali in parts of South India as it is said that the demon Narakasura was killed on this day.

The second day is celebrated as the main day of Diwali in parts of South India as it is said that the demon Narakasura was killed on this day. Most parts of India celebrate Diwali on the third day

Wishing You and Your Family a Very Happy & Prosperous Diwali

Welcoming

Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, people decorate their homes with diyas and draw colourfully designed rangolis in their courtyards.

designed rangolis in their courtyards, make sweet dishes and other tempting foods to offer and exchange with the family and guests.

Gujaratis consider it the ideal time to make new investments in commerce and real estate or launch a new business venture.

In Maharashtra, people begin Diwali festivities by worshipping a cow and its calf to celebrate the bond of motherhood.

Another practice in most parts of South India is the ritual bath in scented

oils before visiting the temple. In Andhra Pradesh, prayers are offered to Lord Krishna’s consort who is said to have killed the demon Narakasura.

Arun Wali is the senior vice-president of AB Smart Concepts, a hotel, travel and tourism consultancy company in New Delhi, India, and a journalist with over 40 years of experience.

By Jaskirat Sahni

Celebrate this Diwali Light

different purpose and reason to celebrate this light festival.

In the Sikh religion, Diwali marks the day the religion’s sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji , and 52 other kings were released from prison. Guru Hargobind Ji was able to devise a clever scheme in which all 52 kings could grab hold of his cloak, in order to be freed, as ordered by the emperor who had impris oned them. Once Sikhs learned of the incredible feat, the Gold en Temple was lit up with many lights and candles to welcome them back, and that soon turned into a tradition still celebrated today. Each year, not just the Golden Temple is decorated in lights, but Sikh temples around the world do their part to bring in extra light on Diwali, and remember the auspicious day which signi fied freedom back in the year 1619.

During Diwali, people light many candles, fireworks and lanterns to spread the feeling of joy they get when they celebrate the happy festivities of the occasion.

Diwali is most commonly known as “The Festival of Lights” by people all across the globe, yet often the reasoning behind the significance of lights at this time of year is unknown by many. Various cultures and religions come together to celebrate this auspicious festival in their own unique ways, but the use of light is common to all, as it is considered to be a way to eradicate the world of darkness and despair. Let us now embark on a cultural journey, where Diwali serves a

In the Hindu religion, Diwali surprisingly has more than just one purpose for celebrating it. In West Bengal, Odisha and Bangladesh, for instance, those who are avid worshippers of the goddess Durga celebrate Diwali as a way of welcoming Maa Kali, which is the goddess’ avatar. These festivities continue for three days, and people bring sculptures of the goddess Durga to their homes and nearby temples, where offerings of flowers, sweets, food and sacrificed animals are made. In West Bengal, these prayers and offerings are often made at night

in cremation grounds, and run until dawn.

A huge population of Indians use Diwali as a time to celebrate the goddess Lakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth. In order to receive her blessings, along with good health and wealth for the year, families work hard to clean and decorate their homes in preparation for her arrival. Family and friends like to get together on the evening of Diwali, so that they can open their homes and light candles

or ‘ diyas ’, waiting for the goddess to arrive. Sweets are exchanged amongst families, and once prayers are offered, fireworks light up the night skies in every neighbourhood. Constellations and stars also have a significance in determining the timing of the Lakshmi Puja, so people look out for constellations such as Libra that night, which symbolizes balance and stability.

In Trinidad, Diwali is celebrated for the longest

time – nine days! Since many Indians were forced to become slaves and move to Trinidad in the 19th century, Diwali marks a time they celebrate their independence and freedom. Diwali has also been turned into a national holiday in Trinidad, and is known as ‘Divali’, the celebration of good winning over evil, and spiritual darkness being eradicated. Thus, it is celebrated in nearly every household, and not just as a religious holiday.

When we think of light, we automatically think of its brightness, and how it brings a sense of joy or comfort which makes us happy. Simi larly, during Diwali, people light many candles, fireworks and lanterns to spread the feeling of joy they get when they celebrate the happy festivities of the occasion. As this tradition contin ues, take time to spend it with loved ones and also re member the deep historic roots which encourage us to bring more light into our world on this special day.

The ManyHistories

of Diwali

Diwali is centered on a very fundamental concept of the victory of good over evil.

By Gurleen Kaur Bajwa

Diwali, annually falling between mid-October to mid-November, is celebrated in many ways and by millions of people from all walks of life. It has its roots in drastically broad cultural and religious values.

Diwali is one of the most prominent holidays in Hinduism. It relates to the Hindu epic, Ramayana, which centers around Prince Rama, the avatar of Vishnu.

Diwali celebrates the day of the return of the beloved Prince Rama from a 14year exile, after the defeat of the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit up the streets with lamps and fireworks, welcoming their prince home. The day is also associated with

Lakshmi, the wife of Vishnu and the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Several customs such as cleansing of the home, Lakshmi puja , and setting up plates of sweets for the goddess are often followed. Hindus of eastern India may associate the day with the goddess Durga, while others in northern India might associate it with Krishna, both of

whom symbolize the victory of good over evil. Diwali, or more commonly called Bandi Chhor Divas in Sikhism, is celebrated for similar circumstances as Diwali for Hinduism. The day marks the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Ji , from the Gwalior Fort prison, along

with 52 other newly freed kings, by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. However, what many may not know is that the importance of Diwali for Sikhism actually goes further back.

The third guru, Guru Amar Das Ji , had built a well in Goindwal with 84 steps, a famous place of pilgrimage even now, and invited Sikhs to bathe there on Vaisakhi and Diwali. Moreover, Diwali also relates to two other key events in Sikh history; it is the day of the founding of the city of Amritsar, and Bhai Mani Singh’s martyrdom was brought on by a failure to pay a fine imposed in 1738 for celebrating Diwali, and his refusal to convert to Islam.

Sikhism and Hinduism host perhaps the more prominent and well-known forms of celebration associated with Diwali. However, both Buddhism and Jainism also

Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

Happy Diwali

As your community credit union, we wish everyone a Happy Diwali! With deep roots in the communities we serve and over 80 years of experience in banking, investments, loans and advice, we’re here to make a difference in the financial lives of our members.

As your community credit union, we wish everyone a Happy Diwali! With deep roots in the communities we serve and over 80 years of experience in banking, investments, loans and advice, we’re here to make a difference in the financial lives of our members.

As your community credit union, we wish everyone a Happy Diwali! With deep roots in the communities we serve and over 80 years of experience in banking, investments, loans and advice, we’re here to make a difference in the financial lives of our members.

As your community credit union, we wish everyone a Happy Diwali! With deep roots in the communities we serve and over 80 years of experience in banking, investments, loans and advice, we’re here to make a difference in the financial lives of our members.

Contact your Gulf & Fraser advisor today to take advantage of our market leading rates.

Contact your Gulf & Fraser advisor today to take advantage of our market leading rates.

Contact your Gulf & Fraser advisor today to take advantage of our market leading rates.

Contact your Gulf & Fraser advisor today to take advantage of our market leading rates.

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DIWALI FEATURE

Sikhism and Hinduism host perhaps the more prominent and well-known forms of celebration associated with Diwali. However, both Buddhism and Jainism also have unique customs and histories linked to Diwali.

have unique customs and histories linked to Diwali.

The festival is not as widely celebrated in Buddhism as the aforementioned, except perhaps in Nepal and Newar. Several deities in the Vajrayana Buddhism are worshipped and Lakshmi is also offered prayers.

In Jainism, Diwali is observed for ‘Mahavira Nirvana Divas’, in remembrance of the physical death of Mahavira. There are some similar practices to Hinduism in which the customs include the lighting of deva and praying to Lakshmi. The focus, however, remains on Mahavira. According to Jainism, the tradition of the lighting of the lamps began at the passing of Mahavira. The 18 kings who had gathered started the practice in remembrance.

Diwali has another, more westernized definition as well; the Festival of Lights, which aptly captures the hope and goodwill attached to the many interpretations. Additionally, despite these different interpretations, Diwali is centered on a very fundamental concept of the victory of good over evil. There is a common theme of righteousness and of overcoming the darkness in whatever form it might take in our lives.

Diwali helps remind those who celebrate it, that despite their differences, they share a respect for a strong moral code, that resonates across cultures.

Photos: iStock, Wikipedia Commons, DARPAN Archives

AFestive Makeover

For Your Home!

BY Shweta Kulkarni

The arrival of the festive season makes you crave for everything fresh and new, even your home screams for a lively makeover. And while it’s not feasible to splurge on the renovations every year, a few tweaks here and there can work perfectly well to add the Diwali cheer to your spaces without burning a hole in your wallet. Here’s how to go about it…

The festive season is in full swing. Diwali, the festival of lights, means family pampering, crackers, sweets, card parties, but home décor or festive home makeovers top the to-do list. While each of you will be striving to make it grand; we have come up with a few lovely ways to decorate your home this Diwali. Here’s how you can plan ahead and re-create much loved spaces of your home this festive season.

Deck Up The Walls

Diwali is about bright colours, and while you can’t paint your pad every year, there are few cost-effective options to brighten your spaces. Instead of painting the whole house, you can opt to paint a single wall in a bright colour and it is sure to set in the festive mood immediately. If painting is not the option, then go in for wall decals. Not only are they inexpensive but they are also excellent to dress up your dull walls. There is a wide range of designs available in the market to choose from and they are very easy to use. A great painting can also come in handy to breathe some new life on your plain wall.

Let There Be Light

Come on, the festival is about lights and more the lights, merrier the environment. However, that doesn’t mean you go about fixing new light fixtures and installing different kinds of lights. Grab some economical tea light holders, coloured candles, table lamps and place them in select corners of your house. You can also hang lanterns or simply change your lampshade. A bit of DIY creative techniques can come in handy too paint and create your own centerpiece for floating diyas or paint empty glass bottles, fill it with a string of fairy lights and see the magic of Diwali set in.

Re-do The Furnishing

The ideal way to set the festive mood is to change your upholstery, but not necessarily by spending a bomb. Simply adding some bright and colourful cushions, and replacing the curtains can change the entire look and feel of the place. If you are creatively charged, your old silk saris or dupattas can make some impressive window scarves to add the festive spunk to your house. The sari borders can also be used as runners for dining tables. You can even embellish old pillow covers by adding motifs or lace, which are easily available in the market.

Bring in Freshness

The best possible way to revamp your home is to bring in some fresh flowers. Buy simple tall glass vases and fill them up with roses, orchids, carnations etc. They can be even used as centerpieces, which are sure to give the house a festive look. You can also bring in some potted plants to add a dash of green and lift the look of the entire space.

Declutter

Lastly, no matter how much you spend or don’t spend, beautify or don’t beautify, your house will lack the festive splendor if it’s cluttered. Try to discard all the unnecessary things and set the perfect festive atmosphere. After all doesn’t goddess Laxmi like to visit a clean, clutter-free house?

Just a few amendments and you shall be ready to proudly throw open the doors of your festive house for your guests this Diwali.

Eastcoast Desi blog, DARPAN Archives

By Shweta Kulkarni

This Festive Season Movies To Watch On Big Screen

For cinephiles, Diwali—the rockstar of Indian festivals, is undoubtedly incomplete without some celluloid indulgence. Along with the traditional rituals of lighting lamps, devouring sweets, exchanging gifts and decorating the house, an outing to cinema halls with family and friends is a must to add to the festive spirit. And the good news is, after a lull of almost two years, there is a bountiful feast in store for movie buffs this festive season. So, gear up, for a crackling and dhamakedar Diwali at the movie halls, here’s what’s in store for you.

Doctor G

Directed by: Anubhuti Kashyap

Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Rakul Preet Singh, Shefali Shah, Sheeba Chaddha

Released prior to the big festivities, this medical campus comedy-drama, featuring a bunch of talented actors, is perfect to add to your festive cheer. Set on a medical school campus, the film revolves around Dr Uday Gupta (Ayushmann), a male chauvinist, who finds himself stuck in the Gynaecology department surrounded only by women. Commenting about Doctor G, the film’s lead actress, Rakul Preet, said, “We are not trying to be preachy. All we are saying is that a profession should not be looked at what your sex is and what your ability is. That, I’m sure a lot of people will agree with. As per stats, some of the best gynecs in the country are men but women may shy

BC’s public school teachers are proud to join in the celebration of Diwali. We are all enriched when we share our cultural traditions. A message from the Surrey Teachers’ Association

HAPPY

away from being open with them. And that’s what we say, your credibility doesn’t depend on your gender. I can guarantee you that you can watch this film with your parents and not feel vulgar.” Now when a film comes with this kind of validation, it is sure to add sparkle to your celebrations.

Thank God

Directed by: Indra Kumar

Starring: Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra, Rakul Preet Singh, Kiku Sharda, Seema Pahwa

With an A-list line-up of actors like Ajay Devgn, Sidharth Malhotra, Rakul Preet Singh, and Seema Pahwa, Thank God is one of the most anticipated festive flicks of the season. A fantasy comedy film written and directed by veteran filmmaker Indra Kumar, Thank God has all the classic tropes of a massy entertainer and revolves around Ajay Devgn as a modern-day 'Chitragupt' and Sidharth Malhotra’s character, who is stuck between life and death. Sidharth Malhotra, who is excited to be a part of the film, said in an interview, “Thank God is a sweet, contemporary film with a lovely message. For me, it is all about the messaging and what the film is trying to

say. I assure people that they will be surprised. Thank God talks about gratitude, which is needed today more than ever.” This hilarious slice-of-life film with a message promise to be a grand Diwali release to be enjoyed with your gang and family.

Ram Setu

Directed by: Abhishek Sharma

Starring: Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nushrratt Bharuccha

Trust the Khiladi of Bollywood aka Akshay Kumar to ensure that we are never short of our festive dose of entertainment. The actor, who is known for delivering more than a couple of films every year, is back with the mega-festive release — Ram Setu. The action-adventure film stars Akshay Kumar as an archaeologist who is investigating the nature of Ram Setu, also known in English as Adam's Bridge, and has just three days to save this important piece of Indian history. The film promises to be a thriller and also stars Jacqueline Fernandez and Nushrratt Bharuccha in pivotal roles. Describing the film as a grand action adventure, film’s producer Vikram Malhotra said, “It is exactly the kind of spectacle

you and your

y a ver y

Black Adam

Directed by: Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Aldis Hodge, Noah Centineo, Sarah Shahi

For superhero film buffs, the festive week is all set to bring one of the most intriguing characters from the DC universe — Black Adam, to the screen. Marking Hollywood star Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's entry into the superhero genre, Black Adam is a spin-off from Warner Bros and New Line Cinema's Shazam! featuring Zachary Levi. The character first appeared in DC Comics in the 1940s as a villain corrupted by power. He became an anti-hero in the early 2000s. Apart from being high on action and thrill, director Jaume Collet also promises that Black Adam will see a different Dwayne Johnson, “He will

be seen in a never-seen-before avatar”, said the director in an interview. He added, “He has such a presence. Black Adam doesn’t speak a lot, which allows him to tap into different resources. He can let his presence permeate in a scene in such a way versus other roles where he has had more interaction with people.” Can’t miss this one now, can we!

Ticket To Paradise

Directed by: Ol Parker

Starring: George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Kaitlyn Dever

Another Hollywood offering, perfect to add to the festive cheer is the George Clooney-Julia Roberts starrer Ticket To Paradise. The romantic comedy, helmed by Ol Parker and featuring two of the most talented and delightfully actors in Hollywood is sure to warm your heart and leave you with a lasting smile. The film revolves around a divorced couple played by Clooney and Roberts, who decide to team up and sabotage the impending wedding of their daughter (Kaitlyn Dever) so as to stop her from making the same mistake they made twenty-five years ago. Roberts, who had not done a rom-com in a longest time, said in an interview, “If I had read something that I thought was that Notting Hill level of writing or My Best Friend’s Wedding level of madcap fun, I would do it. They didn’t exist until this movie that I just did that Ol Parker wrote and directed.”

that will bring the people back into the theatres.” Expect some dhamaka with this one for sure.

Diwali Gifts

Truly Care That show you

By Shweta Kulkarni

Gift-giving is a tricky business, but fear not; we have you covered. Check out our list of unique gifting ideas, which will show that you truly care and make a lasting and meaningful impact on your loved ones this festive season.

One thing, which we learnt from the last two years of the pandemic, is that health is everything!

And given the stressful times we live in; everyone deserves great wellness gifts.

So, this Diwali, while you scour through shops and the internet to find special gifts for your dear ones, we have a perfect solution for your gifting conundrums. We suggest, why not present your precious ones with gifts that won’t just sit in some corner and collect dust but rather

help them prioritize their wellbeing and encourage them to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Like the idea? If yes, then check out our specially curated list of gifts that will help you spread happy vibes, festive cheer, and good health. Whether you are looking for presents for your best friend, your family, your loved ones or even yourself, we assure you these gifting ideas will not only help you ditch the usual but also show your loved ones that you truly care about their wellbeing and happiness.

Fitness Journal

In today’s times, where there are hundreds of devices and online fitness trackers to help one keep track of their fitness, a fitness journal may seem like an outdated gifting idea. But believe us, a fitness journal is an extremely useful tool for anyone starting their fitness journey. Like they say, sometimes it is best to do things the old-school way. Studies show that physically writing out your health and fitness goals is far more effective and motivating. So, a fitness journal is a great gifting idea to help people you love to grow on their fitness journey.

NutriBullet

Someone has rightly said good health begins in the kitchen, and nothing makes for a better healthy Diwali gift than a NutriBullet. A NutriBullet is a single-serve blender which is great for making fruit and veggie-packed smoothies. It is also handy to make dips, salad dressings, sauces and cocktails. Enhanced with Bluetooth technology and a mobile app, the NutriBullet also helps to effortlessly track all the ingredients, their nutrients, and calories going into the supercharged smoothies. A small but mighty gift, NutriBullet is an ideal not just for the health nut in your life but for all your dear ones.

Smart Water Bottle

A water bottle may not really sound like the fancy gift you had in mind for your loved ones. However, a smart water bottle is worth every penny if you want someone to keep up with their healthy habits, like drinking water regularly and staying hydrated. Proper hydration is the key to keeping our bodies functioning properly, our skin glowing and staying upbeat all day long. But with our busy day-to-day life, we often forget a simple act like drinking enough water in a day. A smart water bottle will help track your daily intake of water. Moreover, it sends alerts to drink water if you have not sipped enough water in a while. Some of the latest versions of smart water bottles also come with features like self-cleaning UV technology, charging ports for other devices, and even a Bluetooth speaker. A perfect gift is an understatement for this one.

Electric Handheld Massager

Aches and pains have become a part of life these days, hence an electric handheld massager can prove to be a great gift for your near ones. A good quality handheld massager can activate muscles, improve blood circulation, relieve tension, and provide instant relief from the pain. Trust us, the smile of relief on your friends and family’s face once they use this device will be totally worth it.

Acupressure Mats & Pillows

The best way to show the people you cherish that you care for them, is to gift them a set of acupressure mats and a pillow. A daily self-care tool, acupressure mats and pillows give similar results as acupressure mas sages, and aid in mind and body relaxation. Acupres sure mats contain several hundred plastic points that apply pressure to many acupressure points in the back. There are also acupressure pillows that can be used on the neck, head, hands, or feet. Now, who won’t like to receive such a rejuvenating gift!

Indoor Plant

Simple and thoughtful, indoor plants not only make for great gift ing options, but also provide several health benefits. Research shows that house plants absorb carbon dioxide, filter pollutants, release oxygen and can help with air purification, espe cially in areas where air quality may be in question. Breathing cleaner air also helps one think clearer, calms stress, and reduces the risk of asthma. Easy to maintain and instant mood uplifters; indoor plants are indeed a great solution to your Diwali gifting woes this season.

White Noise Machine

A white noise machine is a unique gift to ensure your favourite people’s well-being. A white noise machine is a device that produces a noise that calms the listener, which in many cases sounds like a rushing waterfall or wind blowing through trees, and other serene or nature-like sounds. So, help your friends and family catch a good night snooze with this easy-to-use gadget.

Mindfulness Cards

The zen practice of mindfulness can be simply defined as being fully aware of your present moment. Research has shown that practising mindfulness can help with a variety of issues, including stress, substance abuse, trauma, anxiety, and depression. It helps to regulate emotions and also boost cognitive abilities. Hence a set of colourful mindfulness cards that contain brief mindfulness exercises might be just the apt gift to cheer someone up during this festive season.

So, go ahead, and show your loved ones how much you care for them. Happy Diwali and Happy gifting!

Folding Treadmill

Giving motivation to stay physically active is one of the best gifts of health we can give to anyone. So, if you want to inspire someone into fitness, gifting them a space-saving folding treadmill is the best way to nudge them to begin their fitness journey. A folding tread mill makes for an A+ gift as it not only encourages them to work out regularly, but that too from within the comfort of their homes. Ideal for small spaces, since it can effortlessly slip under a couch or bed and be moved from room to room with minimal effort, a folding treadmill is sure to make anyone happier, fitter and healthier.

Taste and Tradition

Temples Great Hindu Asia~ of

By Garima Goswami

A look at some lesser kno wn yet beautiful, Hindu places of worship outside of India

Hinduism is one of the largest religions in the world. The culture and literature that Hinduism has to offer is a reflection of its extensive heritage. Within the realms of this age-old religion, temples have played an important role and have also garnered praise for their distinct architecture that was associated with intriguing stories about the gods and goddesses or kings of earlier times. Whether or not they were within the geographic range of India, Hindu temples have built their glory growing upon their breathtaking construction patterns. You must be aware of some beautiful structures in

India, but here is a look at some lesser known yet beautiful places of worship outside of India:

Angkor Wat

The Angkor is considered a significant archeological site in South-East Asia and is also displayed on the national flag of Cambodia. It is believed that the historic temple of Angkor Wat was built in an estimated period of 30 years and is the largest masterpiece in the Angkor group that includes other marvels such as the Bayon Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site.

Tanah Lot

One of the seven sea temples, each within the eyesight of the next, Tanah Lot is popular amongst tourists for its magnificent location. Being one of the most famous temples in Bali, Tanah Lot attracts tourists throughout the year. Legend has it that black and white stripped snakes guard the temple and can be spotted close to caves inside the temple.

Within the realms of this a geold religion, temples have played an important role and have also gar nered praise for their distinct architecture that was associated with intriguing stories about the gods and goddesses or kings of earlier times. W hether or not the y were within the geog raphic range of India, Hindu temples have built their glor y g ro wing upon their breathtaking constr uction patter ns.

Prambanan Temple

Known as the largest temple dedicated to lord Shiva in Indonesia, Prambanan temple adorns illustrations from the great Hindu epic of Ramayana. Built in the 10th century, this temple is dedicated to- Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The temple compound also consists of three temples that are dedicated to animals that serve Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma.

Pashupatinath Temple

Noted as one of the most sacred temples of Lord Shiva, Pashupatinath is a two-tiered pagoda listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The extensive grounds of this temple include many important Hindu temples and shrines including Chadeshvar, an engraved Licchavi Linga dating back to the 7th century and Dharmashila, a stone where sacred oaths are taken. The temple is one of the cultural heritage sites situated in the Kathmandu Valley that display various architectural spots including the Buddhist Stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, the Durbar Squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu) and Patan and Bhaktapur

Batu Caves

The caves are an important site dedicated to Lord Murugun, the elder son of Lord Shiva. Upon reaching the vicinity, you would notice a 42.7 metre tall gold painted statue of Lord Murugun. To reach the main temple inside the caves, one has to climb a total of 272 stairs.

Sri Siva SubramaniyaSwami Temple

Situated in Fiji, this temple is a beautiful display of the Dravidian art outside of India. Glorying bright colours, the temple looks splendid from the inside with its beautiful ceiling frescos, as do the wooden carved deities that have been brought from India to beautify the splendour of this temple.

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Pashupatinath Temple

The ancient temple of Changu Narayan is located in a village called Changu vil lage, Nepal. The temple is considered to be the oldest temple in Nepal and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this temple came into existence in the 4th century and adorns beautiful stone, metal and wooden crafts. Inter estingly it is said that the temple was burnt in 1702 A.D. following which con struction was carried out. Gilt-copper plates were added later on in the res toration process.

Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple

Also known as the Sri Perumal Temple, this large complex is recognized as one of the oldest temples in Singapore dating back to 1855. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Preserver, the temple instantly catches attention with its 60-foot-high Gopuram (monumental tower) depicting Vishnu in his nine avatars. Going indoors devotees can observe a colourful pattern depicting the nine planets of the universe. The temple was gazetted a national monument in 1978.

ST

Koneswaram Temple

This classical-medieval Hindu temple in Sri Lanka is a major worship centre for Lord Shiva devotees. The temple is also famously known as ‘Thirukonamamalai Konesar Kovil.’ Situated in the Trincomalee, the temple overlooks the beautiful Indian ocean and is also a major tourist attraction.

D

Matar Tikki Aloo

By Chef Harpal Sokhi

Preparation

1 cup green peas

3 potatoes (boiled and peeled)

1 tbsp ginger, finely chopped

½ tsp cumin seeds

Pinch of hing (Asafoetida)

2-3 green chilies, finely chopped

¼ tsp turmeric powder

¼ tsp red chilli powder

¼ tsp garam masala powder

½ tsp chat masala

Salt to taste

½ lemon juice

2 tbsps chopped fresh coriander leaves

2 tbsps bread crumbs

3 tbsps corn flour

Oil for cooking

Green chutney for serving

• Refresh the green peas and crush them in a mixer. Keep it aside.

• Heat one tablespoon of oil in a kadai; add chopped ginger, cumin seeds, hing and green chili chopped, mix well and sauté for one minute.

• Add crushed green peas, mix well and sauté for 30 seconds. Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, chat masala and salt, mix well and sauté for one minute.

• Remove in bowl, add lemon juice and chopped coriander and mix well. Keep it aside.

• Take boiled potatoes in a bowl and mash well. Add bread crumbs, corn flour and mix well. Add salt and mix well.

• Take a plate and dust

• Make a cavity in the center of each potato mixture portion, put one portion of green peas stuffing in the center, bring the potato mixture together, seal and shape into tikki. Dust with corn flour and keep it in plate.

• Heat some oil in another non-stick pan. Place tikki and shallow-fry from both sides till golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper. Sprinkle some red chilli powder and chat masala on top.

• Place the tikki on serving plate, garnish with coriander leaves and lemon wedge and serve hot with tomato ketchup and green chutney.

Ka Kabab Gooler

By Chef Gautam Mehrishi

Ingredients

1 cup gooler (Indian Cluster Fig), cleaned, chopped and deseeded

2 tbsps roasted chickpeas flour or sattu (powdered gram)

1 tsp each of minced ginger, garlic and green chillies

1 tsp garam masala

½ cup chopped coriander and mint greens

Salt to taste

Ghee to shallow fry

Preparation

Boil the cleaned gooler in sufficient water till soft, then drain and cool.

Mash it with other ingredients except ghee to make a dough-like mixture.

Shape lime-sized balls and flatten them between the palm. Arrange to be shallow-fried in batches.

Shallow-fry using ghee or any oil of choice.

Serve hot with green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Aloo Dahi

Ingredients

• 100 gms paneer

• 100 gms potato

• 100 gms hung curd or thick yogurt

• 1 tsp mace powder

• 100 gms sesame seeds

• 1 tbsp gram flour

• 1 tsp chat masala

• 1 tsp cumin powder

• 50 gms raisins

• 30 gms almonds

• 1 tsp crushed black peppercorn

• 1 tsp green cardamom powder

ke Kebab

By Chef Nilesh Limaye

Preparation

BY CHEF NILESH LIMAYE

• Mash the paneer. Boil potatoes and mash to a fine paste. Mix together gram flour, hung curd, mashed paneer and potato to form a dough.

• While mixing, add the raisins, cardamom powder, almonds, mace, salt, pepper and chopped coriander.

• Make small size patties. Coat each patty with sesame seeds.

• To cook: Heat a heavy bottom skillet. Place the patties on the same and allow to brown. Top up with small amount of ghee to impart its flavour. Cook on both the sides till its nice and golden brown and crispy on the sides.

• Few sprigs of fresh coriander chopped

• 2-3 green chillies

• 1 tbsp ghee for shallow frying

• To serve: Serve directly from pan to plate, garnished with some green chutney or tamarind chutney.

Makes 5-6 patties of 50 grams each

Cutlets Yam

By Chef Shipra Khanna

Ingredients

1cup yam (boiled and mashed)

1 onion chopped

1tbsp fresh coriander

salt and pepper to taste

For Chutney

tomatoes (roasted on open fire and skin peeled)

3-4 cloves garlic crushed

2 whole red chillies

Salt to taste

1tsp red chilly powder

Preparation

a bowl mix

Heat oil in a wok.

together, till everything is well

fry till golden brown and crisp.

For Chutney

Take the pulp of the tomatoes

salt, chilly powder.

another pan, roast garlic and whole red chilly and

to the tomatoes.

Mix well and serve with yam cutlets.

D iwali Recipes

Motichoor Laddoo

Ingredients

For Boondi:

• 2 cup besan/gram flour

• 2 tbsp Rava / semolina / suji (fine)

• one fourth tsp saffron food color

• 1 and a half cup water

• oil for frying

For sugar syrup:

1 cup sugar

• half tsp saffron food color

• half cup water

one fourth tsp cardamom powder

• half tsp lemon juice

2 tbsp cashew / Kaju (chopped)

• 2 tbsp pistachios (chopped)

Preparation

• Make the boondi batter: To make this traditional Indian sweet at home, take a large bowl to add 2 1/2 cups of gram flour, then mix orange color and mix it well. Then, add some water and a little baking soda. Blend the mixture well and make sure there are no lumps. Once the blend attains a perfect consistency, it's time to move to the next step.

• Prepare the boondi: Now, heat ghee in a large deep frying pan. Place a perforated ladle (jhada) on top of the oil and add some of the batters. Slowly let the boondi batter fall in the oil and cook them on a low flame, till properly cooked. Once done, place the boondi on tissue paper to remove excess oil.

• Prepare sugar syrup and mix with the boondis: Then, take a pan and add some water and sugar, allow this blend to boil until it attains a two-string consistency. Then add some cardamom powder and let it cook. Then add the boondis and cook till the sugar syrup and boondi is perfectly mixed. Cover it with the lid and turn off the flame.

•

BY CHEF NILESH LIMAYE

Garnish and relish! Grease your hands with a little ghee and start shaping the laddoos. Place them in an open tray and garnish them with some crushed nuts and indulge in the goodness.

Gud ka Halwa

Preparation

By Chef Harpal Sokhi

BY CHEF NILESH LIMAYE

First in a sauce pan add water, jaggery, cardamom powder, ginger powder and let the jaggery dissolve in it properly. Once the jaggery melts, add saffron in it to enhance the color.

Heat ghee in another pan, add cashew nuts, almonds, pistachio and cook till they are brown in color. Remove and keep it aside.

Now in same pan add semolina and roast till light brown in color. Add raisins, mix well and roast till raisins are fluffy.

Add jaggery water in it, mix well till it is thick in consistency. Keep the halwa little bit watery, because once it gets cool, it will get thick. Now add mixed nuts in it and mix it properly.

Serve in a glass bowl and garnish it with mixed nuts on it.

Motichoor Rabri Jar Pudding

By Chef Gautam Mehrishi

Preparation

prepare rabdi, take a thick bottom kadhai and pour the milk in it and bring it to a boil.

it boils, turn the flame to low and keep stirring until the milk reduces to about 300 ml. Remember to scrape the sides and bring the scrapes back in the boiling milk to get the lachhas.

Once ready, cool the rabri and then layer it with the crushed laddoo, nuts, saffron, and cinnamon powder. Top it with saffron and nuts.

SHAAM SAVERA

By Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

My signature preparation, the colours of this dish – saffron, white and green – proclaim my nationalism. Spinach koftas are filled with paneer and served floating on a saffron coloured, velvety gravy. It also stands for shaam, or dusk, as represented by the darker shades of the spinach, while the paleness of the paneer symbolizes savera or dawn. When displayed as koftas cut open in half to show off the light inside, the dish is more than just food, it is poetry on a plate.

For the gravy:

Preparation

For the spinach covering, melt the butter in a non-stick pan. Add the caraway seeds and sauté until they begin to change colour. Add the spinach puree, garlic, ginger, green chilli paste, green cardamom powder, coriander powder, cashewnut powder, salt and roasted chana powder and cook, stirring, till dry. Spread it out on a plate and set aside in a refrigerator to cool completely.

For the kofta filling, mix together the cottage cheese, cardamom powder, white pepper powder, salt and cornflour and mix well. Divide into eight equal portions and roll into balls. Keep them in the refrigerator till required. For the gravy, heat the oil in a deep non-stick pan. Add the caraway seeds, cloves, black cardamoms, green cardamoms, cinnamon, onion, garlic, ginger and turmeric powder and sauté for five to seven minutes.

For spinach covering:

For the kofta:

garnish :

Add the tomatoes, red chilli powder, salt and one cup of water and cook, stirring for five minutes. Add the butter, cashewnuts, dried fenugreek leaves, green cardamom powder and honey and mix well. Let the gravy simmer for 10 to 15 minutes on medium heat. Set aside to cool. Grind and strain the gravy into a bowl and discard the residue.

To make the koftas, heat sufficient oil in a kadai. Divide the spinach mixture into eight equal portions. Coat each paneer ball with a portion of spinach and roll into a round ball. Roll the balls lightly in cornflour. Deep-fry on medium heat for three to four minutes. Drain on absorbent paper and set aside to cool slightly.

To serve, pour the curry into a serving bowl. Halve the koftas horizontally and place them on the top of the gravy. Garnish with a swirl of fresh cream, ginger and green chilli strips and serve.

Aloo Nazakat

By Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Ingredients

• 4 large potatoes

• 2 tbsp oil + for deep-frying

• 3 tsp ginger-garlic paste

• Salt to taste

• 1 cup yogurt, whisked

• ½ tsp black salt

• 1 tsp garam masala powder

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• 3 tbsps roasted split Bengal gram, powdered

• 3 tbsp chopped fresh coriander

• 2 tbsp mustard oil

• ½ cup grated cottage cheese (paneer)

• 2 tsp chaat masala

• 2 green chillies, chopped

• 2 small fried urad dal papads, crushed

D iwali Recipes

Preparation

Peel and scoop out the insides of the potatoes leaving a shell all around. Chop the scooped out portion and set aside. Heat plenty of oil in a kadai and deep-fry the potato shells till cooked and the outer surface turns golden brown. Drain on absorbent paper.

Heat the oil in a non-stick pan and add one teaspoon of the ginger-garlic paste. Add the chopped potatoes and salt and cook over medium heat for five to six minutes.

For the marinade, put the yogurt into a bowl; add salt, black salt, garam masala powder, chilli powder, roasted

Bengal gram powder, two tablespoons of the fresh coriander, the remaining ginger-garlic paste and mix well. Add the mustard oil and mix again. Set aside.

For the stuffing, put the cottage cheese into a bowl. Add salt, chaat masala, remaining fresh coriander, green chillies, cooked potatoes and crushed fried papad. Mix well.

Stuff the potato shells generously with the cottage cheese mixture. Put the stuffed potatoes into the yogurt marinade and mix well with a light hand. Leave to marinate for about 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4.

Grease a baking tray.

Arrange the stuffed potatoes on the baking tray and bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Chef Kapoor's easy demeanour, cheerful commentary and simple instructions make the most seemingly difficult dishes look easy to prepare.

Apricot & Nougat Ice cream

By Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Ingredients

20-25 golden

soaked

4 tbsps apricot jam

1 packet vanilla ice cream

For Nougat:

cup roasted and

almonds

cup sugar

Preparation

Put sugar in a wide non-stick pan, add a little water and cook, stirring, till the sugar dissolves.

When the sugar begins to caramelize, add almonds and stir so that all the almonds are coated with the caramel. Spread the mixture on a silicon sheet and let it cool and set. You can keep the sheet in a refrigerator so that it sets quicker.

Puree golden apricots

Prep time: 11-15 minutes

Cook time: 21-25 minutes Serves: 4

and transfer it into a bowl. Add apricot jam to the puree and mix with a hand blender. Soften vanilla ice cream and add it to the bowl and mix with the hand blender.

Dislodge nougat from the silicon sheet and crush. Add this to the ice cream mixture and mix well.

Pour the ice cream into a plastic container and cover it with a tight fitting lid. Keep it in the freezer to set. Serve in scoops.

Achari Okra

By Chef Anjum Anand

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp vegetable oil

• ¾ tsp each Nigella seeds, cumin seeds, brown mustard seeds, and fennel seeds

• 1-3 green chillies, stalks removed and pierced with the tip of a knife

• 400 g okra, tops removed and sliced lengthways ¾ of the way up so the stalk and okra is intact

• 3 small onions, finely sliced

• 4 medium tomatoes, chopped

• ¾ tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tbsp coriander powder

• ½-¾ tsp dried mango powder or to taste

• Salt to taste

Preparation

Heat the oil in a large nonstick sauté pan. Add the

D iwali Recipes

Chef Anjum

Anand has worked across the world in innovative restaurants but her real love is delicious and stylish food that is simple enough to cook at home.

seeds and once they are popping, add the onion and green chillies, cook over a medium heat until they are browned on the edges and soft.

Add the tomatoes, seasoning, remaining spices and stir to mix well; cook for a few minutes or until the tomatoes are softening.

Add the okra, cover and cook for 8-10 minutes or until the okra is soft and just cooked through, giving the pan a stir every few minutes.

Taste and adjust seasoning and add dried mango powder if you would like it a bit tarter.

PHOTOS: Martin Poole, Emma Lee

Tips to This

Stay Healthy Diwali

By Shweta Kulkarni

Check out our health and safety tips to strike a perfect balance between wellness and celebrations this Diwali.

It is that time of the year again! When there is a certain freshness in the air, the sweetness of delicacies is tantalizing our tastebuds, the vibrancy of colours is brightening the mood, and the brilliance of the lamps is warming the hearts. Yeah, the festival of light is upon us. It is time to don our festive hats and celebrate togetherness with our loved ones.

However, while Diwali calls for enjoyment galore, it is also that time of the year where our eating, drinking and fitness habits all go for

a toss. Furthermore, the Covid-19 pandemic is still looming over our heads and playing the spoilsport. So, should one stay away from the festivities? Hell no! Wellness and celebrations can definitely go hand in hand, all you have to do is make some wise choices. It is all about being mindful and striking a balance between health, safety and fun. Here are a few tips that can help you to stay safe, healthy, and fit during this festive season and at the same time not miss out on any of the festive fun.

Practice Mindful Eating

Without a doubt, Diwali is the time for indulgence, and it is not just difficult to resist the temptation but is also unfair to refrain from the sumptuous festive spread. So, what to do? Well, the answer to your problem is pretty simple – Practice mindfulness.

Being mindful of your eating habits can not only help you to enjoy food but it also restricts overindulgence. Mindful eating is a technique that helps you gain control

over your eating habits, and practising it is a perfect remedy to mindless bingeing during the festive season.

Be aware of your portions, use smaller plates so that

you don’t load your plate with food, avoid second helpings, opt for healthier food options, strike a balance between your junk food intake and healthy food. E.g., if you want to have something fried, take a small portion of it but also ensure that you are balancing it with lots of salad or veggies. Doing so ensures that your cravings for fatty fried food are satiated, while at the same time you add to the nutritive value of the meal and also avoid bingeing. The idea is to be mindful, and it will deter you from consuming those extra calories.

Use Smart Cooking Methods

Another smart way to keep a check on your health during Diwali is to employ smart cooking techniques. Fried food often spikes up your cholesterol levels, so avoid deep-frying and instead try shallow frying or air frying. Alternatively, switch to cooking methods like baking, steaming, roasting or grilling. When preparing sweets at home, choose your ingredients wisely, like you can replace sugar with jaggery in some of your recipes and use low-fat milk instead of heavy cream.

Stay Active

While it may be a task to stick to your exercise routine amid all the festivities, it is crucial to remain active during the festive period to compensate for all the extra food you shall be devouring at various Diwali parties and gettogethers. Take out at least 30 mins daily to walk or do some form of exercise to stay fit and enjoy a guilt-free celebration. Take the stairs instead of an elevator, help your friends/family to organise their parties, go for leisure walks post your meals, don’t sit for too long at one spot, dance at the parties… Keep active as much as possible, and don’t let those extra calories dampen your festive spirit.

Stay Hydrated:

Drinking plenty of water is the key to keeping healthy not just during the festive season but throughout the year. Keeping your system hydrated during Diwali is very important, especially if you are consuming alcohol, as it helps to get rid of toxins from the body. Furthermore, it also prevents overeating by keeping a tab on your cravings. When you are craving something sweet, salty or fried, gulp down a glass full of water and wait for 10 minutes. Usually, this technique helps you deal with those sudden cravings, however, if the craving

persists, indulge in it but wisely. Having enough water throughout the day is essential to maintaining good immunity, which is of utmost importance, especially during covid-19 times.

Follow The Covid Protocols

Post-vaccination, most people are now slipping when it comes to following the protocols, but to ensure the safety of our loved ones during the festivities it is important to take all the necessary precautions. Masks are still important, don’t forget to carry them everywhere you go. And do not just carry but wear it at all times. Encourage your friends and family to wear the mask, provide masks to your guests, sanitise your hands frequently, especially before eating and follow all the precautionary measures put forward by the local health authorities.

Party Wisely

Diwali is all about togetherness, however, bear in mind that we are still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Don’t let your guard down during the festivities even though you have taken the jab. So, avoid crowded gatherings, get-togethers and maintain proper physical distancing, especially with the ones who aren’t yet fully vaccinated. Remember, a namaste is an ideal way to greet people during the festive season as opposed to hugging and shaking hands. If you are hosting a party at your place, make certain your event is

Sanitisers have become a part of our daily lives ever since the pandemic has struck, however, be careful while using them during the festival of lights. Since most sanitisers are alcohol-based, they can easily catch fire

as safe as possible for the guests. Ventilate the rooms properly and keep the guest list small and short so that there is enough space for each guest to maintain physical distance. Follow guidance issued by your local public health authorities before you plan a party.

Use Sanitiser Cautiously

Sanitisers have become a part of our daily lives ever since the pandemic has struck, however, be careful while using them during the festival of lights. Since most sanitisers are alcoholbased, they can easily catch fire, hence keep your sanitiser bottles away from the lamps you lit during the festival. Moreover, don’t use it before lighting the diyas or candles or firecrackers, as due to its inflammable nature it can cause fire hazards.

So, be mindful of everything you do during your celebrations and enjoy the festivities wisely. Happy Diwali!

Diwali Decor On a Budget

By Shweta Kulkarni

How To Keep The Diwali Spirit

High & Brighten Up Your Home On A Budget

Diwali is upon us, and along with everything else, we also want our abodes to look sparkly clean, fresh, spiffy, and glamorous to bring in the festivities. While making drastic changes every year is not feasible on the pocket, there are many ways to add sparkle to your home and make it festive-ready on a budget. A few changes here and there, along with simple additions and voila, your home is all set to welcome the festival of lights. Still

wondering how to go about it? Well, worry not. Let us guide you through with a few practical suggestions that will not only help brighten up your space but will also keep your festive spirits high, without breaking the bank, of course!

Declutter Your Space

The first and foremost thing you need to do is begin with some deep cleaning and decluttering. It is one of the simplest tricks in the book to add freshness and brightness to your space. Get rid of things you don’t need, remove broken/worn out items, organize wardrobes and cabinets and see your space get transformed.

Decorate The Entrance

One of the customs during the festival of Diwali is to make a rangoli at the entryway. This activity is done to welcome the Goddess Laxmi and bring in good luck. Keeping that spirit of the festival in mind and also the fact that the entrance is the first impression anyone gets of your home, spruce up your entryway. And the best part is that a small effort and a creative eye is all you need to ensure a grand entry for your guests. If you have space near the doorway, place a large standing diya along with a floating flower and candle decoration in urlis. Add a dash of vibrancy and freshness with colourful

planters at the entrance wall. Aesthetically use brightly coloured lamps, fairy lights, and candles and see how simply you can welcome the festive vibe into your space.

Add A New Vibe With

An Accent Wall

Nothing speaks freshness better than a fresh coat of paint. However, you don’t need to go through the

whole hassle of repainting your entire home every year, creating an accent wall instead can actually change the whole look and feel of the space. Add a new vibe by creating an accent wall using colour, textured paint, decal stickers, 3D wall panels, or wallpaper in areas like the living room, foyer, dining area where they can have maximum visibility and can make a statement. A creatively done accent wall can easily become the centrepiece of any room and transform your space instantly.

Change Soft Furnishing

Another simple and costeffective way to add a festive sparkle to your pad is by upgrading your soft furnishing. Home furnishings play a big role in determining the look and feel of the house. A simple change of drapes and upholstery can add significantly to the whole

Accessorize

One more simple way to spruce up your home and add glamour to any room instantly is to accessorize it. Jazz up your empty walls with artworks, photo frames, wall plates etc. A simple and aesthetically done collage on any walls using rustic frames or Indian artworks can not only look elegant but also add colour to an otherwise dull wall. Side tables are also ideal spaces to introduce interesting accent pieces like metal vases, candle holders or artefacts. You can also add a bit of drama to your space by strate gically placing candles, lamps, fairy lamps, lanterns in dim corners of your house.

Jazz up your empty walls with artworks, photo frames, wall plates etc. A simple and aesthetically done collage on any walls using rustic frames or Indian artworks can not only look elegant but also add colour to an otherwise dull wall.

setup. So, this festive season bring in freshness with new cushion covers, curtains, bedsheets, and sofa upholstery. Don’t shy away from using bold colours and rich fabrics

like velvet, jacquard and silk to amp up the festive vibe in your abode. On the other hand, you can even refurbish your old vintage sarees and turn them into cushion covers, curtains, or table runners.

Bring In The Greens

Indoor plants not only enhance the aesthetic value of your décor but also remove toxins and improve air quality in your space. While all the lamps, fairy lights and candles will light up your house in the evenings, thoughtfully placed houseplants can easily brighten up the space during the daytime.

Reshuffle The Furniture

One of the most credible options for a quick makeover is to simply rearrange the furniture pieces in the home. Reshuffling the furniture breaks the monotony and adds a new look to the house. Keeping the festive vibe in mind, playing around with the light fixtures in the house also adds a fresh appeal to the house.

Rangoli:

A Timeless Tradition

By Renu Singh-Joseph

From India to Can ada, homes this Diwali will be deco rated with bright, vibrant rangolis boasting intricate and gorgeous designs and artistry.

The word rangoli is de rived from two words –‘ rang ’ and ‘ aavali ’ – mean ing ‘rows of colours,’ and this holds true as rangolis are placed in the entryway or foyer of the home as a beautiful gesture to wel come Goddess Lakshmi with open arms during Diwali.

A timeless tradition,

rangoli is an ancient art form that has been passed on through gen erations within a house hold, and some designs are hundreds of years old. This Diwali, teach your children the art of rangoli-making and if you don’t have a familial pattern, come up with a new pattern that can be passed among current and future generations within your family.

Throughout India, rangoli designs differ throughout the diverse states but there is a

common theme. For ex ample, rangoli designs that are circular in shape represent a sense of eter nity and timelessness, whereas rangolis with geometrical patterns incorporating dots and lines to make squares and swastikas to foot prints, trees and lotus flowers represent unifi cation between humans and nature. In addition, celestial symbols – the sun, moon and zodiac signs – are also com mon themes for rangoli designs.

Where to start? Ran golis can be made from a number of materials, such as coloured chalk, crushed limestone, and rice powder. Rangolis range in size and depth, but most homes show case rangolis the size of a doormat near the en trance. Moreover, rangoli designs can be simple or difficult depending on the intricacy of the pat tern.

A great way to get your kids involved is to print out colouring pages of rangolis from the Inter net or Pinterest, and get them excited to create their own colourful de signs. Ask your children to pick their favourite printed pattern, and

then re-create the de sign in your home.

As Diwali transcends into the modern world, environmentally-friendly methods are becoming popular as homeowners are now infusing ecofriendly practices with timeless traditions like rangolis.

Go organic – avoid us ing chemical-based co lours to make your rangoli design. Instead, use natu ral colours and dyes like rice flour, turmeric pow der, kumkum , and leaves. Moreover, you can incor porate fresh flowers (mari golds, roses, carnations) to bring more colour into your design and the best part – the flowers will add a natural, sweet fragrance

the family would like to showcase in the home. For beginners, try a more simple geometric or floral design. For those expe rienced, opt for a larger, complex design like an animal or the Goddess Lakshmi herself.

Outline

your house for Diwali!

Enjoy Rangoli Time With Family!

Constructing a rangoli is a wonderful way for the family to bond during Diwali. You can make it a family activity by ask ing your spouse and children to participate in the different steps to creating a unique and beautiful rangoli. Here are a few tips:

Design

Figure out what design

Once you decide the lo cation of your design, you can outline the pattern di rectly on the floor or draw it on paper of a thicker stock. To give dimension to your outline, use white, textured material like semolina, rice or sand.

Fill

This is the fun part, use your selected materials to entirely fill in the rangoli, leaving no open spaces. Mix different textures and colours in your design to add that wow factor to your rangoli.

Final touches

Once your rangoli is com plete, write a few wishes in chalk around the design or add candles, diyas or lanterns to light up your rangoli, afterall it is the festival of light – Happy Diwali!

Diwali is the most celebrated festival of India. However, the multi-culture of the country has affixed many legends to the origin of the festival, which are as varied as the manner of its celebrations, but common to all of them is the theme of the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali and Its Many Legends!

By Shweta Kulkarni

The luminous yellow-orange flame exuding from the array of oil-lamps adds a warm glow to everything around and sets the quintessential mood for Diwali, symbolizing the spirit of good over evil and victory of light over darkness.

However, while every Hindu proudly lights the lamps that signify the festival, owing to the cultural diversity of India, the legend behind them and its significance differ from state to state and so does the festive celebrations. Thus, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Diwali is celebrated in more than one way, with every community adding its own distinctive local touch to it but retaining the essence of the festival of lights.

In North India, Diwali commemorates the homecoming of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The festivities that run over for five days begin with Dhanteras.

to buy utensils, gold and silver.

Choti Diwali, the second day, takes the celebrations forward, where a small Rama puja is performed followed by singing bhajans and songs in his honour.

Like in North India, Diwali commemo rates the homecoming of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The festivities that run over for five days begin with Dhanteras. The divine ener gies of Goddess Lakshmi the creator of wealth, Lord Kuber the distributor of wealth, and Lord Ganesha the remover of obstacles, are worshiped on this day. The day is also considered auspicious

However, the face of Choti Diwali changes as you move down South, where it is celebrated as Naraka Chatur dashi. It is a day of great significance, which again highlights the conquest of good over evil but with a different fable.

A demon named Narakasura was beheaded by Krishna on this day and before dying the asura requested a boon that his death anniversary should be celebrated by all people on earth, and so Naraka Chaturdashi was born. South Indians usually celebrate the day by wak ing up early, lighting diyas and bathing with scented oils. The cleansing ritual signifies getting rid of laziness and the evil from our system.

rashtra, where people use uthane (an ayurvedic paste) to bathe. In Goa, papermade effigies of Narakasura, are burnt at four o’clock in the morning and people return home to take a scented oil-bath.

A slightly different version of the afore mentioned legend, where instead of Lord Krishna, his wife Satyabhama killed the demon, is known as Kali Choudas in Gujarat, Rajasthan and few parts of Maharashtra.

There is also a social significance in the festival of Choudas as it marks the time of the harvest. South Indians and Maharashtrians often cook mouth-water ing delicacies prepared from pounded semi-cooked rice, which is taken from the fresh harvest of the season.

Talking of Maharashtra, the Diwali cel ebration in this state actually begins with Vasubaras a ritual of performing aarti

to a cow and its calf. The tradition symbolizes a woman’s gratitude towards cows for serving them and their children.

The third day of Diwali – Lakshmi puja, is celebrated with grandeur across vari ous regions of India. Generally, the trad ers do not make any payments on this day to preserve Lakshmi at home. In every household, cash, jewellery, and an idol of Lakshmi are worshiped.

But, Bengalis, Oriyas, and Assamese celebrate this day as Kali puja. People light lamps in Kali Maa’s honour and in return, she promises a renewal of life and justice on earth.

The festivities of Diwali continue with Padva or Bali Pratipada in Maharashtra and as Bali Padyami in the South. Bali Padyami commemorates the victory of God Vishnu in his dwarf incarnation Vamana, defeating Bali and pushing him

to the nether world. But Bali was bestowed a boon by Vishnu to return to earth for one day to be honoured. Thus, Hindus celebrate this day in Bali’s honour.

The farming community in Tamil Nadu celebrates this day by performing Kedar gauri vratam (worship of goddess Kedar-Gauri – a form of Parvati), and Go puja (worship of cow).

The day is celebrated as Govardhan puja in the North, it is believed that Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhana hill to save people and cattle from rain and floods on this day.

Bhai Dooj marks the end of the five-day long festival, where sisters pray for their brothers’ happy life. Supposedly, after slaying Narakasura, Krishna visited his sister Subhadra who gave him a warm welcome with sweets and flowers. She also affectionately applied tilak on Krish

na’s forehead. South Indians celebrate the day as Yamadvitiya, after a legendary meeting between Yama the god of death and his sister Yamuna.

Interestingly, while the above festivi ties sum up Diwali for Hindus, the Jain community celebrates the festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira. Whereas, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas during Diwali a day when Guru Har Gobind freed himself and Hindu Kings from Fort Gwalior, from the prison of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, and arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Well, whether it’s the South Indians, North Indians, Maharashtrians, Bengalis or Sikhs, what matters is that each one celebrates the festival of light in it’s true essence i.e. victory of good over evil and spreading the light of hope.

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Collage Greeting Card!

Sendheartfelt Diwali wishes with a homemade card. All you need is a sheet of card paper, brightly-coloured scraps of fabric or paper and glue – even kids will enjoy making this festive diya collage card for Diwali!

STEP 1: Fold the A4-sized card paper in half.

STEP 2: Cut out a rectangle on a paper of your choice. Make sure to keep it slightly smaller in size than the front of your card. Glue this rectangle on one side of your card.

STEP 3: Cut three diyas from three different types of paper or fabric and glue them to the card.

STEP 4: Cut three flames from yellow or gold paper. Glue them onto the card above the diyas.

STEP 5: Decorate your card further if you like with glitter or sequins.

Crafts

DIWALI Crafts

How to Make a Festival Lantern

STEP 1: Cut out a 7 by 14 inch rectangle of coloured cardsheet. Make it into a cylinder shape and stick the ends together.

STEP 2: Then, for the cut-outs to be pasted on the cylinder, cut out cardsheet squares of size 4.5 inch. You will need at least 10-12 squares for the lantern.

STEP 3: Stick together the opposite corners of the square sheets, overlapping the corners. Then, leaving a gap of at least 0.35 inch from the top and bottom edges, stick the squares on the cylinder next to each other till the cylinder is completely covered.

STEP 4: For the base strips, use butter paper/tracing paper that is about 14 inch wide and 11-15 inch long, depending on how long you want the strips. Cut the strips leaving about 0.5-0.75 inch on top.

Content and image courtesy: Blogs The Zing of My Life and Handful of Shadows.

STEP 5: Stick the strips to the cylinder by applying glue to the top edge. To give the lantern a more finished look, stick a colourful or sequin strip on the top and bottom edge of the cylinder.

STEP 6: You can decorate the lantern further by adding colourful cut outs of either flowers, moons or other designs on the overlapping ends of the square.

STEP 7: Lastly, attach a string at the top to hang the lantern from.

easy ways to give back to your community this Diwali

Light Be The

By Naina Grewal

Our community shapes us into the individuals we are. Communities nurture us during our childhood and contribute to our development well into our youth. In times of celebration, we then have the humble responsibility to give back to the community that contributes to our happiness. Amidst the festivities that lace the celebrations of our nears and dears, here are seven easy ways to give back to your community this Diwali season:

Donate

Donations are not just financial. If you have the means and the health to do so, helping others in need through hair or blood donations are potential options. Furthermore, participating in seasonal food or toy drives that begin this time of the year can help the underprivileged. As you indulge in the Diwali cleaning, consider donating items such as books, lightly used clothing, bicycles, school supplies, or bags that you would otherwise throw away.

Volunteer your Time

Find a charitable organization, cause or group that you identify with and volunteer your services at a food shelter, hospital or soup kitchen.

A great idea is to light up the day of a senior who may not have a friend to celebrate Diwali with. The options are endless and so are the many blessings you will get in return.

Spread Positivity

A simple smile or ‘hello’ can turn a bad day into a good one. Diwali is about illuminating those around you by treating all as your own. Hold the door open, help a senior cross the road and do not hesitate to give compliments. If you want to take this to the pro level, leave an anonymous motivational note for someone to find and read. Sometimes, an effortless act such as lending your ear to an acquaintance can be a game-changer in someone’s life.

Share your Knowledge

Help tutor school children or give career advice to a struggling youth. Diwali traditions include that of gifting; what better gift than that of knowledge? Often,

The rewarding experience of taking such small steps to contribute to your community paves the path to common good. Being a good citizen triggers a chain reaction and creates a network of change-makers.

educational institutions are speaking for professionals or even students that can share their experiences with others. Educating community members about opportunities and sharing resources is an investment back into the community that invested in you.

Promote Local Businesses and Talent

Given that your community has led you to be the professional or student that you are, help others achieve their dreams by buying local whenever you can. This is not just limited to goods, but also attending events put together by local artists, especially surrounding artistic expressions of the Diwali spirit.

Take Accountability

Bringing light into the world is not someone else’s responsibility. Often, we leave communal vices to be managed by others. If you see litter, instead of blaming others, be proactive and throw it in the garbage. If someone is in trouble, assist them in a safe manner rather than being a bystander.

Start at Home

This Diwali, reflect on yourself. Make your living space, lifestyle and those you live with a reflection on the community you want. If something seems amiss in the community, look first into the values being embedded in your household. Teach the younger ones what you would like to spread into the world and become a compelling role model!

The rewarding experience of taking such small steps to contribute to your community paves the path to common good. Being a good citizen triggers a chain reaction and creates a network of change-makers. With just a small gesture, you can create an everlasting impact that transcends well beyond the act. Spread the light within you!

By Shweta Kulkarni

fashion FESTIVE

How To Be A Firecracker This Diwali

It is that time of the year when you take a break from your western couture and sparkle and shine in rich ethnic flavours. Yes, Diwali is finally upon us and while the festivities this year may not be as grand as usual because of the COVID-19 pandemic, your Diwali wardrobe certainly doesn’t need to be lowkey. In fact, dressing up for the various days of the festival of lights will only enliven your spirit. Whether your celebration plans include a small close-knit gettogether with family and friends or attending a simple puja, there is definitely no reason to miss out on dressing up for the festivities. So, here are some easy to crack festive style tips that will not only help you make stunning style statements but also add a dash of excitement to your intimate festivities. Read on…

Nail It With A Kurta

A staple in Indian traditional wear, the good old’ humble kurta is certainly going to rule this festive season. The versatility of kurtas is what makes it a regular show stealer at fashion shows too. This year itself, kurtas made a splash at the Lakme Fashion Week as an intrinsic part of several designer’s collections. Pairing its various versions with different types of bottoms like palazzos, skirts, dhoti pants, cigarette pants, and shararas, can help create beautiful and interesting silhouettes for the festive season. From lightweight

DIWALI STYLE

gota patti work, to chikankari, to silk kurtas, to heavily embroidered Anarkali kurtas — there are endless options to choose from. Kurtas with flared sleeves are currently in vogue and are a musthave if you like to add a bit of drama to your outfit. You can further highlight your look with statement jewellery. Comfortable and effortlessly chic a perfectly accentuated kurta silhouette is sure to see you through all the festivities ahead in style.

Reign In The Kaftan

If you crave for glamour and comfort then the mesmerizing silhouettes of Kaftan are sure to please you the most. With its carefree and free-flowing attributes, Kaftans are a hot favourite among women across the globe, and this festive season they have simply become hotter! Even B-town beauties have upped their fashion game with this versatile piece of garment. Chiffon, georgette, or silk kaftans with embroidered work and beautiful prints are apt to make heads turn for this festive season. You can even add a bit of zing to your kaftan by pairing it with belt, chic pants, statement jewellery and create a quirkystylish look. Finish off the look with jutis, heels or ethnic sandals.

Dazzle In Aladdin Salwar

A close relative of harem pants, this quirky, cool and super comfortable salwars are undoubtedly hotcakes this festive season. As the name suggests this sartorial piece is indeed inspired by the popular folktale character – Aladdin and is sure to add a bit of mystic charm to your festive dressing this year. The flowy loose-fitting silhouette of

Aladdin salwar gives a whimsical dreamy look to your entire ensemble, making it a must for those who love to experiment with their fashion game. These bottoms paired with short kurtis and jutis make for an interesting festive look. For a bolder and more experimental look, you can even pair the bottoms with fitted tops or even crop tops and throw a shrug over it for a modern contemporary look.

Slay With Saree

A saree can never go out of fashion and there is nothing more beautiful than a saree to add sparkle to your festive wardrobe. Elegant and easy to style, a saree can make you look stunning effortlessly. Try giving it a contemporary twist to this classic staple this year by pairing it with shirts, kurtas, pants etc. Do check out our article on ‘different saree style to experiment with this festive season’ for inspiration, in this issue.

Perfect The Look With Palazzos

A favourite among the B-town belles, palazzos have been one of the hottest trends in ethnic wear for a while now. And the festive season is the best time to test its versatility. Pair it with

simple kurtas, A-line kurtas, angarkha kurta, tunics, capes, jackets, crop tops or even sarees – the palazzos goes perfectly well with just about any look. Brocade palazzos, palazzos with scalloped hems and lace trimmings are ideal for the festive period.

Lastly, whatever you choose to wear this festive season, don’t forget to flaunt your brightest and biggest fashion asset – your smile, and you are certain to slay throughout the festivities.

Happy stylish and safe Diwali.

The

Six Yard

Wonder!

Here’s How To Jazz Up Your Saree Game This

By Shweta Kulkarni

Nothing can define elegance better than a saree. Hence, it is no surprise that this timeless six-yard wonder, which traces its origin to Indus Valley Civilizations, holds an irreplaceable place in the heart of every Indian woman and by far remains to be the most common sartorial pick for festivals.

No silhouette can beat the charm of a traditional

saree. A saree not only exudes unmatched sophistication but given its extremely versatile nature, it can also be worn in myriad styles. With just one saree you can achieve almost a dozen styles. So, this Diwali, why not jazz up your saree game? Here are some interesting ways to style this exquisite festive staple…

Belt It Up

If you don’t want to steer too far away from the traditional saree look and yet are willing to experiment, this style is definitely for you. All you need to pull off this style is a statement belt or kamarbhandh to cinch your waist. Drape your glorious sixyard in a normal way and then just accessorize it with your belt. Voila! You are ready to make heads turn with your style. A crop top or an off-shoulder top

HAPPY

Double The Elegance Quotient

The most attractive feature of a saree, undoubtedly, is its pallu or the end piece. And ever since designer Shaina NC devised the surreal double pallu saree draping method, every actress in B-town has been going gaga over it. If you love the classic saree draped look but also want to experiment with fashion, then you definitely must give this new saree draping trend a try. All you need to try out this style is an embellished dupatta matching your saree or another saree. Agreed, it’s a bit tricky style but once you get the hang of it, you shall be ready to rock.

Ditch The Conventional Blouse

Enough of breaking your head to get that perfect fitting blouse. Honestly, there are several ways to style your saree without it. You can simply grab your favourite shirt and drape a printed or plain saree over it. Alternatively, a saree paired with a crop top, bustier, vest or printed tee can instantly make you stand out in style in the

Best Of Both Worlds

If you ever have to make that tough choice between your favourite lehenga or saree –simply grab them both. Believe us, a saree can be beautifully draped with a lehenga to help you effortlessly steal the show this Diwali.

crowd. Get creative, look up to your favourite Bollywood celebs for inspiration and nail this quirky saree style like a pro.

Photos: Kalki Fashion, OMSARA, uistockphoto, saree.com, only vimal, Dolly Jain

DIWALI STYLE

With just one saree you can achieve almost a dozen styles. So, this Diwali, why not jazz up your saree game?

Pants To The Rescue

Give an easy contemporary twist to your saree game by simply ditching the petticoat and draping your six-yards around pants, jeggings or even denim. Trust us, you will slay and how!!!

Scarf It

One more interesting saree draping method to try out this festive season is to wrap the pallu around your nape like a scarf. Contemporary and stylish, this quirky style of draping will surely take your fashion quotient up by several

Say Yes To

Don’t even think about this style twice. Just grab a neatly designed jacket and throw it over your saree to make a stunning style statement this Diwali.

Lastly, don’t hesitate to experiment with various draping styles, silhouettes, mentioned earlier, saree is an extremely versatile garment and nothing can steal away from its eternal charm. So, go ahead grab your fav six-yard from the wardrobe now.

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Kids age 12 and under are invited to participate in DARPAN’s Diwali contest.

You can simply take a picture of the artwork and send it to info@darpanmagazine.com OR mail it to - 340-8140, 128th St. Surrey, BC, V3W 1R1. Winners will receive a special Diwali gift.

Hurry, send your entries soon!!!

Wishing everyone a prosperous Diwali.

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