Diary of a White Indian Housewife
Thoughts and Experiences of an Expat Living in India
From the category archives:
Life feels simple and sweet at the moment. As always, India has woven its magic and won my heart back. No matter how tired and frazzled I sometimes feel, it never lasts long. The warmth and joy of Diwali has recharged me….
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Happy Dussehra everyone! Today is Dussehra in India. This special occasion, which takes place the day after the nine nights of Navaratri, marks the defeat of the demon king Ravana by Lord Rama. It also celebrates warrior Goddess Durga’s victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. Dussehra is an important family occasion — a sari wearing occasion even! — so my husband and I spent the day with the family…
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The Ganpatti statue in my sister-in-law’s street was taken for visarjan (immersion) last night. These immersions happen on various days over the course of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Popular days include the third, fifth, seventh, tenth, and of course the last (and most exuberant) day. There are no hard and fast rules as [...]
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My sister-in-law, who lives a short walk away from us, has a large Ganpatti at the end of her street every year. Every year they hold a maha aarti (great ritual/prayer) in front of the statue, and distribute prasad (food that has been offered in worship to the God) to everyone. The prasad isn’t any ordinary prasad though. It’s maha prasad (great prasad)….
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My favourite festival of the year is on at the moment in Mumbai — Ganesh Chaturthi. This 11 day festival honours the birth of Lord Ganesh. Worshipped for his ability to remove obstacles, he’s one of India’s most popular and much loved gods….
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Yesterday was Krishna Janmashtami in Mumbai. This festival, also known as Govinda, commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, recognised as being the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, is revered for his wisdom about how to live life on Earth…
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My husband’s family are originally from Orissa, so we celebrated Sabitri Brata yesterday. This is a festival for married women, similar to Karva Chauth. It involves a day of fasting and puja (worship) for the well being of our husbands and a happy married life….
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Mumbai has a substantial Catholic population, especially in areas such as Banda, so Good Friday doesn’t go unnoticed here. Bakeries in and around Bandra have been busy churning out hot cross buns for the occasion….
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I thought I was going to spend Christmas Day in bed with a really sore throat. That was until my husband surprised me by bringing home a roast chicken with stuffing, roast vegetables, and Christmas fruit cake….
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This year was the second time I played Holi in India. The first time was when I was living in Calcutta, in 2006. We went to a big Holi party at a farmhouse just outside the city. This time, we stayed home and joined the Holi party that was being held in the apartment complex….
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