Indian expatriates light up their homes, streets to celebrate Diwali

Muscat: Homes of several Indian expatriates in neighbourhoods of Oman were decorated with colourful lights, flowers and festive-themed trinkets this weekend to celebrate Diwali.

With all the Diwali pomp and splendour illuminating every nook and corner of Indian homes, the festival of lights was celebrated with full gaiety with fervour. The festive occasion created a long-lasting charm in Oman on Thursday.

Ruwi, in particular, was packed with residents greeting each other, exchanging gifts, and sharing delicious delicacies.

Even businesses like jewellery and sweet shops in Oman experienced huge footfall during the weekend.

The Festival of Lights symbolises the triumph of good over evil, and is marked by the lighting of lamps and the decoration of homes.

The customary rituals involve cleaning of homes, lighting lamps, and creating rangolis, and colourful designs. Traditionally celebrated 20 days after the Indian festival of Dusherra, Diwali is a festival that signifies the defeat of evil by the forces of good, and the arrival of the traditional Indian winter harvest. People celebrate this festival by lighting earthen lamps and distributing sweets.

“This year, we got together with some local friends to celebrate Diwali,” said Vickey, an Indian expat.

Another expat, Surya Kumar, said, “We decided to celebrate the occasion jointly with our family friends and organised a Diwali party. We also went to a nearby temple and offered prayers there.”

Mohanlal, a South Indian expat, who lives alone in Muscat said, “We really miss our family back in India during this time of the year.”

Qurum resident, Avinash said: “Diwali is a time we spend with close friends and family. Since I enjoy cooking, I prepared Diwali-themed dishes such as gajar ka halwa, masala kaju, ghud ki mithai, fresh mawa (for barfi), and naan khatai for home.”

G Desai, who resides in Ruwi, said: “We had a special Diwali party at my home on Saturday. We prepared several homemade delicacies such as kachoris, kheer, halwa, chana chaat, dal makhani, and dum aloo, to name a few.”

He also said that the preparation and cleaning began a few weeks ahead of the festival. “We bought decorating items and new clothes. A big part of Diwali is associated with good food. We prepare homemade namkeens (snacks with a salty flavour) and mithai (sweets) at home.”

An integral part of this event is bursting of colorful crackers. The entire India’s skyline is illuminated with beautiful fireworks with the bursting of crackers going past the midnight.

Some expats were fortunate to get air tickets in time so that they could celebrate Diwali with their family members.

However, many were ruing the missed opportunity as fares had sky-rocketed three months before in anticipation of Diwali rush. Though tickets were available at reasonable prices to Delhi, Mumbai and to nearby destinations, the connecting flights were either not available or were costing a fortune to travellers.

Even trains were packed to capacity with no seats available in premium trains, therefore, reluctantly, they had to shelve their travel plans.