Celebrating
festivals abroad
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Image source : Blogchatter |
This post is a part of ‘Feeling Festive Blog Hop’ hosted by Manali Desai and Sukaina Majeed under #EveryConversationMatters
Festivals provide a
way to escape from the mundanity of life and celebrate it. In every Indian
household, they hold immense importance and bring countless moments to be treasured as memories. Festivals
bring a variety of mouth-watering food, magnetically divine vibes, some rituals
to perform, and get-together with family and friends.
Every year, there comes a handful of festivals that all of us look forward to.
As a child, I used to surf through festivals on the calendar, not because I
hated going to school but because I enjoyed everything about it; be it
helping my mother with preparation, serving guests when they arrived home, cleaning
or decorating home. All of us, my sister, father and I worked together like a
team during the festive season to execute every plan that we had made.
Out of all the festivals, my favorite one is Dusshera. I don’t know why I
remember almost all memories of it, right from my school days. Is it because
we were given 2 weeks of Autumn holidays then or the extravaganza associated
with it? I can’t figure out the right reason. Every year, it falls during
October and the feeling of nostalgia engulfs me. The image of stage,
competitions, aromas of delicacies, and other performances. Having spent my school
days in Kanpur, I witnessed how grand Sarvojanin Kali Puja Samiti used to
organize Kali Puja for a week. There used to be competitions for different age
groups. We participated in it and won some prizes. The entire celebration would
end with fireworks, a prize distribution ceremony, and a concert. I have been
missing this festival ever since I was away from Kanpur.
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It has been 3.5 years
since I have lived abroad. I try to recreate events from my festival memories because
it is always not practically possible for me to visit India during festivals. The
first that I do as a part of preparing for festival is to rush to an Indian
Store to get the groceries or related items for the festival. We celebrate at
home with decorations, and delicious dishes or additionally look for
communities where it is celebrated. No matter how much I try to recreate those feelings
of excitement of celebrating festivals at home back in India, something remains
missing.
Such is the power of home; festivals that we celebrate with family and friends!
The nostalgia associated with festivals hits me every year and makes me miss
home a little more.
© All Rights Reserved!
Swati
Sarangi
04.10.2024
#BlogchatterBlogHop
Edit : This post received TOP POST on Blogchatter
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Such a nice way to enjoy festivals on a foriegn land
ReplyDeleteFestivals, no matter celebrated anywhere, bring us close to our motherland. I can understand, and hence I appreciate your efforts in being rooted to culture and tradition.
ReplyDeleteSending you best wishes of festive season.
I love how your post beautifully captures the essence of festivals and the deep emotions tied to them. It's amazing how you can paint such a vivid picture of your childhood memories—the excitement of helping your mom, the teamwork with your family, and the unforgettable celebrations. Your connection with Dusshera feels so personal, almost as if I could feel the energy of those festive days in Kanpur through your words.
ReplyDeleteLiving abroad and trying to recreate those special moments must be tough, but it's heartwarming to see how you keep those traditions alive in your own way. Even though something always feels a little missing without home, you’ve perfectly captured how the spirit of festivals lingers with us, no matter where we are. It’s true—festivals are more than just rituals; they’re a reminder of our roots, our people, and the warmth we hold onto. Your post left me feeling both nostalgic and inspired. Thank you for sharing such an emotional piece!
Your write-up is a great example of linking the outer celebrations with our inner world. Also, appreciate how you are keeping the Indian culture alive in a foreign land. Many of us are unable to do so even when we have the best of resources available easily. Thanks for sharing something so personal and deep with us.
ReplyDeleteI feel those who live abroad celebrate Indian festivals in a grander way than thise who live in India. Memories about festivals are indeed very nostalgic, lights up even a dull day.
ReplyDeleteCelebrating Indian festivals out of India is certainly a challenge, have done it for about fifteen years now! But yes, it is amazing when our children also fall in love with our culture and traditions
ReplyDeleteDussehra was a glorious festival when i lived in Shillong. But when I moved to Delhi, Diwali outshone. Now in Kerala, it's Onam. I like this diversity of our country.
ReplyDeleteRemembering the good times from your native country is special. It's so nice to know that you keep the traditions alive in any way possible. I haven't watched dussehra since years, but Kali Puja, I went to recently.
ReplyDeleteFestivals always bring out the most joyful feelings in people, whether celebrated at home or otherwise. It is so wonderful to see how you strive to keep the traditions alive, even though you live abroad. In fact, I have often noticed that festivals are celebrated with much gusto in countries away from home.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely ! Festivals are all about fun with loved ones and nostalgia hits really hard in these times.
ReplyDeleteMy festival is Christmas. We celebrated Christmas in a different way back in Kuwait. Now, when we spend time with family during the festival, it feels so so good. So, I totally get what you're saying.
ReplyDeleteThis is a delight to read and yet a sense of reminder that how a celebration is incomplete without our loved ones or people from our walks.
ReplyDeleteFestivals bring much needed colour , joy and togetherness and break the monotony of daily life, your post underlines that beautifully. Happy Festivities!
ReplyDeleteI have very fond memories of Dusshera too! My younger cousin and I until last year used to go to the fairs and enjoy rides and good food together. This year, she went to study abroad and we couldn't follow tradition, reading your post made me smile because at the end of the day, festivals reaaly are for loved one to get together~
ReplyDeleteMy son lives in the US and they have celebrate the festivals in their own way. These days things are more readily available. They were not when he had shifted in the 90s.
ReplyDeleteYou can take an Indian out of India but you cannot take India out of an Indian! Being away from home during festivals hits hard but we find a way to work with what we have.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of all Indians who try to relive All festivities abroad in their unique attempts. Mesmerising read.
ReplyDeleteI totally resonate with this Swati and get where you're coming from.
ReplyDeletewhat a sweet little memory of your childhood. mine is of a 7 year old me performing in a function for diwali in school. I remember the dress I loved wearing then.
ReplyDelete