Each year, children eagerly look forward to the festival of lights! It means holidays, bursting crackers, gobbling home made sweets and bonding with family and friends

But there is more to Diwali than just colourful lights...

Diwali transcends all religious differences and neighbours, irrespective of the community they belong to, exchange greetings and sweets to welcome the new year! For children, it is a time for fun and shopping. Parents indulge them in shopping for new clothes and loads of firecrackers. Houses are renovated and decorated inside out.

Markets are flooded with rangoli colours, diyas and kandils. It’s a time for absolute merriment. But the true meaning of this festival lies beyond all the pompous procession. Like Ganesh Chaturthi,  even Diwali is being commercialised and reduced to material goods.

But we can change that by explaining to our children why this festival is celebrated with so much fervour. The festival of Diwali marks the destruction of evil. This was the time when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. Tell your child a short tale of Ramayana and explain how good triumphed over evil on this glorious day. Let your child pay obeisance to the morally good and perfect Lord Ram and instill values like respect for elders, devotion to God and service to humanity.

Welcome Goddess Lakshmi into your home. If your child is old enough, let him help you in making the rangoli and place diyas at the door step. Explain to him that  in order to welcome the goddess of wealth, the house is kept spotlessly clean and lamps are lit to light up her path. Guide your child spiritually by allowing him to aid you in preparation of the Lakshmi Puja and teach him a few bhajans to sing along...

Another significant day attached to Diwali is Bhai Dooj. This festival marks the day when sisters pray for the long life of their brothers. If there are siblings in the family, explain to them how this festival is celebrated to strengthen the bond between siblings. There are several stories attached to this day – that of Yamraj and his sister Yami and Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra. Tell your daughter to pray for her brother’s well-being and in return the brother can offer a gift as a token of his affection.

The Chokhi Dhani chain, which has 12 branches set up in different parts of India, attracts guests to it’s renowned restaurant through it’s display of traditional artwork, games and activities and food, typical of Rajasthan. Deeply-rooted in traditions of hospitality and service, the chef of Chokhi Dhani – a Rajasthani village-themed restaurant at Thane – shows you how to prepare a variety of lip-smacking sweets and savouries for Diwali.

Jalebi
You need
500 gms plain flour (maida), 50 gm Bengal gram flour, water and sugar syrup.

You must
Mix the two flours with water and whisk until smooth. Set aside for about three-four hours to ferment. Whisk thoroughly before use. Heat oil in a heavy bottomed pan or kadhai. Pour the batter in a steady stream into the kadhai to form coils. Deep fry them until they are golden and crisp. Remove from the kadhai and drain on a kitchen paper and dip in the sugar syrup for a few minutes. Serve hot.