DIWALI....

is the 

FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS. 

JAIPUR is one of the better cities to enjoy this HINDU festival.

although it is an hindu festival
 ALL people enjoy this occasion.

DIWALI is not all about lights, firecrackers & card parties to commemorate the return of
 RAM & SITA to ayodhya.

did you know that celebrations actually end on the 12th day after LAKSHMI PUJA?

or that most BENGALIS don't light diyas on diwali day?

it's this, the many regional rites & rituals that celebrate various gods on the pantheon, that makes the festival of lights so special.

(photo below)

a POTTER busy in making earthen lamps for diwali at
 BANAR VILLAGE in JODHPUR.
potters expect a good business during the festival of lights.

the approx size of these very basic design oil holders would be 2" sq.
the people pour ANY oil into the holder and lay a simple cotton wick through the oil and then just light one end of the wick.

BAPU BAZAAR
in the pink city.
the grid pattern is coloured tinsel.

JAIPUR at night.

STATUE CIRCLE.

this is a monument dedicated to JAI SINGH.

it is approx 10mn walk from me, and i use this monument as a reference for the auto drivers.

ah ! does this look BEST on me?

traffic in
 CHANDAPOLE BAZAAR.

the papers have been full of this sort of advertisements.

it really is a time
TO SHOP TILL YOU DROP.

DIAMONDS, PEARLS & RUBIES.

i was told that traffic came to a stand still.
that it took 1 1/2 hours in a car to crawl 2 klms.

being in an auto would have been madness.
the noise of the cars, bikes etc honking the horns.
also it was very warm day.

DIWALI @ my LOCAL MARKET.

outside the old post office ( non operational from 2 months)
GREEN post box for india mail.
RED post box for overseas mail.

little statue houses for the lights.

more little statues.

here is some of those earthen lamp holders.
these are particularly fancy ones.

they are beautifully crafted.
need to think of a purpose for them, after diwali.

and there's more.
painted ones as well are available.

this was a particularly lovely stand  for oil lamps.

one of the little general stores, that has a table out the front.

at SUNRISE BAKERIES
they are selling baskets of sweets.

CANDLES in all shapes & sizes & fragrances.
i bought 3 packets of fragrant tea lights.
rose
lavender
melon & orange.

MR GUPTA'S GENERAL STORE.

this is the store i do most of my food shopping at.
UPSTAIRS, you can see, they sell buckets, pens, underwear, plastic articles, toys, etc.
it is a very interesting place to look.
while i am there the assistant, tells me about his wife's jealousy and asks my advice.

DOWNSTAIRS , all types of tin foods, dried lentiles, biscuites, coke, lollies, personal grooming products, cleaning products etc.

the small shop on right (under canopy) is where i buy my fruit.
local fruit and imported.

this is a design from coloured sand, that is designed every morning on the door steps of some hindu homes.

aren't the women beautiful.

on the 13th november, it was
BROTHER SISTER DAY.
this is the day that brothers go and visit their sister's and re commit to them,
that they will ALWAYS look after them .