Hello World! This week will be the Diwali festival...one of the most important religiously observed festivals by the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains. Marathi (like me LOL), Telegu and Tamils also celebrate this festival. Well it is not restricted only to those groups, everyone is welcome to share and celebrate it on this joyful occasion. For the Hindus, Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil. It also celebrates the victory of Rama over the demon Ravana who abducted his Sita. People then light lamps so as to illuminate the path of Rama to his kingdom. So this is where the symbolism of the lamps lies. The Tamils celebrate it one day before the Hindus as Rama travelled over Tamil Naidu first, that’s why they always celebrate this festival first. Diwali is not only about new clothes, sweets or firecrackers but also has religious and spiritual significance. ... Religious where there are prayers to offer and spiritual as it also connotes the sense of sharing, love and compassion... I always love this festival especially when I was a kid as I always was impatient when my mum would be giving me the basket with the cakes to distribute in the neighbourhood... and when people at their turn came to offer you their cakes....I think everyone loves this festival here as regardless of your religious group, the cakes will be offered to you and that’s where lies the true spirit of sharing..... Try out this link for recipes: http://festivals.iloveindia.com/diwali/diwali-recipes.html My favourites cakes are : Ladoo,Rasmalai A very Happy Diwali to you.... Cheers
