Diwali ayi re.. khushiyan layi re… and the celebrations kick off at Jikoni.

Yesterday we hosted our annual Diwali dinner at the Vithlani household. As usual our family and friends were invited to join us.

As is the norm in my Jikoni, a lot of food of different varieties was prepared.  Shrikhand, garam Mohanthal, chappati, a pea curry, bateta nu shak (potatoes) and guvar nu shak. Khata dhokla and dal bhajia (see previous blog) with the usual athanas and chutneys.  As usual, I was up at the crack of dawn to start the food preparation, NOTHING in the Vithlani household is prepared beforehand, nothing at all.

Diwali for us is the biggest celebration of the year.  We go all out to welcome Ganesha, Laskhmi, health wealth and prosperity into our lives.  We try and bring the tradition of rangoli and diyas just like we did in Tanzania.   Our yard, porch and house are all lit up with diyas and a Rangoli adorns our porch.   We are very excited to announce that next Diwali, we will have a new member participating in the Vithlani Diwali festivities, our Son Akash’s wife, our Lakshmi, our daughter in law Kajal.

Good food, friends, family, a lot of love and laughter…..what better way to celebrate Diwali?