Category: Festivals

Diwali is a celebration that revolves around lights. From tiny colorful strands adorning our balconies to the traditional diyas that line up our walls. They all collectively light up the festive night.

Some different ways to decorate the house yet retain the spirit of Diwali are these lighting ideas that are out of the box.

Made from wrought iron, this beautiful bottle candelabra not only lights up your home but is also a great way to reuse empty bottles. Make it a green Diwali all the way.

This exquisite wall light set of nine tea lights gives a fusion look to the walls by combining the diya look with an arty décor feel.

A simple votive holder in the shape of a conch is a break away from the usual diyas. Perfect for those corners all around the house.

This Buddha Lamp gives a soothing effect to the surroundings, with the Buddha etching exuding light and calm.

A cool gadget, the cork bottle light, fits into your wine and other bottles throwing a stylish array of light. The perfect addition to your Diwali parties.

These wonderful ways to light up your home also make for lovely Diwali gifts for friends and family. They are a great part of any home décor, on any ocassion.

Dusshera is significant in many different ways to many different communities but ultimately it is about the victory of good over evil.

Navratri celebrations in Gujarat happen with the famous Dandiya dances. The Durga Pooja pandals and idol immersion in Bengal is the focus for the nine days. The Mysore Dassara procession is watched by thousands with utmost pomp and show. Another unique celebration is the Lord Raghunath procession in Kullu. And the common element is the burning of effigies of Ravan across the country. This is a time of religious revelry in different parts of the country in many different ways yet the reason for celebration is the same.

Dusshera is also known as Vijaydashmi, signifying the victory of Lord ram over Ravana. Ram Leela is a major part of this festival wherein the whole Ramayan is depicted theatrically. People of all levels of society get together to watch this age old story every year. It is much loved and enjoyed by youngsters and adults alike, the story being an integral part of the social and cultural fabric of India.

At an individual level, people celebrate by doing fasting for nine days. Many pujas are performed during this time at home. People also organise community prayer sessions in their houses for friends and neighbours. The houses are decorated with new and beautiful things and gifts are exchanged with friends and family. Another prevalent ritual is the act of charity to the poor and underprivileged or at temples.

Dusshera is a very important festival in India and is celebrated with much piety and devoutness. As with all other religious celebrations the focus is on peace and harmony with joyful celebrations, bringing different communities closer.

India is a country known for its myriad festivals. They are a time of joy, fun and celebration. Most festivals carry with them a history of the Indian culture with learnings from ancient mythology and also historical stories.

While events like birthdays and anniversaries are more modern, the gifts associated with them being modern as well, gifting on festivals is much more traditional. This is because there is a reason behind why these festivals are held, a part of the culture and hence a desire to uphold and keep it ongoing is felt. And this feeling is enhanced by gifting traditional items.

Festivals are many, from the popular ones like Diwali and Holi to large scale celebrations for festivals like Dusshera, Durga Puja and Ganesh Chaturthi. Apart from these there are the regional festivals which are equally important, like Onam, Baisakhi and Gurupurab.

Memorable gifts for Diwali and Holi are available aplenty, both modern and traditional. Sweets, clothes, gadgets and jewelry are some gift items that people exchange. These can be more general in nature. For the other festivals the gifts can get more specific to the festivals themselves. Like diyas, statues of particular deities, food items that are made especially for that festival etc.

When traditional gifts are exchanged during these occasions, it brings people closer as a community. There is a bond that is created that connects everyone on the basis of a shared culture and history. Gifts for festivals create a sense of belonging.

The style of gifting itself is also undergoing a change though. A lot of gifts are also a fusion of the old and the new, to keep pace with changing times. But in the end, the emotions evoked by a unique gift that is specific to the festival can never be matched by any other gift ideas.