Magic of Lights

Diwali is over. Lights decorating windows are gone too. Cracker noises have thankfully vanished. But something about this Diwali has been so special I could cherish for life.

Tired after a momo dinner, a bunch of us got suddenly energised when the momo expert friend declared at 12 am, half an hour after our sumptuous treat. As if momos were not enough, we had an excuse for a quick pastry voyage. And set out in our suburb. Cafe Coffee Day was closed. And so were the three pastry joints we relied on.

Our friend drove on, past Western Express Highway and into the city. ``Don't worry. He's thought of some place special,'' said S, the friend's wife.

Could it be Marine Drive, or simply some place in Bandra? We went past Mahim Police Chowky when this friend stopped by near a sleeping taxi driver to enquire about Diwali market. Whatever could that be? Cracker shops opened so late?

A kilometer on, the visual treat stunned us. On either sides of road in that near-zero traffic hour were lanterns of all sizes and shapes. They stretched over a mile, lighting up the otherwise throttle-traffic roads with heavenly glow. For a minute or two we gazed in daze at the lovely lights. I must admit those Chinese lanterns were not a welcome sight. The light and colour riot made up for that feeling though.


The market opens only after 9 pm, when the killer traffic eases a little. It's a rare treat to watch families and individual lantern makers quickly work through the glue and kite paper to bend, stick and pattern hanging lanterns. Night is when families venture out to buy lanterns too. A pity we did not carry cash along. We fell for innovative white ball lanterns that could make any room decor dream-like.

We were not so lucky about the birthday cake. But this one beat any imagined slurp of honey dripping from the pastry. It made us want to spend the night on pavements.

Of late, the Diwali fad has travelled across the globe and as far as Obama and Gordon Brown, but no White House party can match such local splendour.

Pic Courtesy: Subhransu Das