Today, it was our first Diwali in Korea, an alien land, that we have began calling home, for the next few years.
The contrast with India was vivid. Back home, everything comes to a standstill, a few days before Diwali. Markets are decked up, there is a frenzy to clean up homes, buy new clothes and prepare for the festival.
It felt a little odd that there was no festivity here.And yes, it was a working day today. It was a bit depressing to get up early and head to office instead of preparing for the festival. Diwali messages from India really rubbed it in - I felt alone, really alone in an alien land, away from friends and family and the conviviality that comes alongwith a day like this...
But it is Diwali, I just couldn't feel low. I pushed myself, adding a spring in each step and went about my day.
And in the evening, perked up by Neeti's chirpiness, we cooked up a delicious meal - stuffed capsicum and maa ki daal!
We did our puja, welcoming Goddess Lakshmi in our new abode in Songdo!
And lit up the magical flame of Diwali, ushering in a new beginning...
After lighting up home, it was time to have dinner and dessert - atte ka halwa that Neeti had made. Indeed that was the best halwa I had eaten in ages...
Then came the biggest fun-filled surprise - meeting local Indians for lighting up some fireworks, as we do back home in India. Indeed life is all about creating a home wherever one lives and building new relationships - that's the message the magical flame of our first Diwali in Korea brought us...
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