Diwali Delights!

I had been in the process of taking a break from blogging. In fact, I hadn’t written anything for the past four months, and I would have gone on… had it not been for this Diwali. When inspiration strikes, I just can’t help but give in to the pull.

This year, I was able to experience my first Diwali at Hyderabad. I did not partake in the lighting-numerous-fireworks part, but I watched the dark blue sky as it lit up, courtesy of one firecracker after another. I’ve got to say – it was nothing like anything I’d ever seen! Granted, there were times (more than I could count) when the noise threatened to blow my ears off and wayward rockets which made me run for cover. It seemed like a very tedious job to dodge the crackers set off by very enthusiastic children smack dab in the middle of the road. So naturally, I didn’t dare to go out into the streets once the fireworks started because let’s face it – there’s no fun in sustaining burns! I was content to watch from the rooftop of my building, and I don’t regret it at all. Unless that time when my traitorous phone hung up and ruined my plans to record the memories. But when life hands you an opportunity to witness such a spectacular night, who would waste time coaxing their phone camera app to start up, right?

Braving the occasional bang that was a bit hard on my eardrums, I made my way to the rooftop, lured by the bright flashes of light. The skyline was a sight to behold! The sky took up brilliant hues, as silhouetted figures in the distance unleashed a seemingly unending train of fireworks into the night sky. After all, there’s a reason why Diwali is called the festival of lights.

There were times when my friends and I would look at each other and go, “Was that a cracker or an explosion?”. Sometimes the aftermath was not a sight to behold, but a nasty ringing in our ears. But nothing stopped us from going back to watch the display as people all around us pulled out all stops for Diwali celebrations.

At long last, as the fireworks gradually ceased, we returned to our rooms with a heart full of memories to last a lifetime. As I struggled to fight against my drowsy lids and there was a constant threat of my phone falling on my face, I was jolted awake by loud series of bangs which indicated that the fireworks would continue throughout the night. *sigh* so much for sleep…

But nevertheless, it was an experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world!

© 2016 Shweta Suresh. All rights reserved.

Image courtesy: Pexels