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Dhanteras- The first day of Diwali celebrations

The biggest and bestest (I know that is not a word, but its how I feel about it) festival is here. It is time for Diwali 2014, which we will welcome with Dhanteras! I personally think Dhanteras is itself a festival. You can ask my husband. He always gives me a gift on Dhanteras, I’m hoping for the Gitanjali Rivaaz gold necklace this year; he knows I have been eyeing it for a while.

Dhanteras- The first day of Diwali celebrations

“Dhan” which literally mean wealth or prosperity, and on Dhanteras we pray to goddess Laxmi for prosperity. This can be done in no better way than it is already done, that is shopping for precious metals; gold and silver jewelry, new utensils for the house.

We celebrate Dhanteras in flair. I personally buy new clothes for my husband, daughter and me a few days in advance every year. This year for my daughter, I have bought a new dress, an Apko Rajasthani green print kurta for my husband, and a Triveni motif embroidered saree for myself.

We will decorate the entire house on Dhanteras, in a traditional manner. My daughter, Tanya has decided she is going to make the rangoli this year. Seeing her enthusiasm, we have bought her handmade rangoli assortment colors. Little miss festive, also sat online with my husband and placed an order for a yellow door Laxmi t- light holder, square lanterns, jewel craft t-light candles, diyas etc. I will only know the whole truth when these goodies arrive. As the father daughter duo did this behind my back. I’m convinced Tanya is going to be an event planner or join the FBI.

While Tanya has already managed the décor bit. I’m going to make myself useful with the other preparations. That is getting the pooja requirements, the flowers, and fruits, as well as the party requirements in order.

The pooja will be conducted at home at 6.08 pm as per the mahurat. My parents will be in town this year for dhanteras and diwali, which means we will have the entire family over for the pooja and the party. We have bought everyone a maharaja dry fruit gift pack and a floral double bed sheet.

After the Pooja, we will have our annual Dhanteras dinner and card party at our place. We will have all our friends over as well. We will start the evening by feeding each one mithai. Since everyone is so calorie conscious, I am going to stock the sugar free Belgian chocolate truffles along with the Bikanervala kaju rolls.

There will be flowing alcohol and finger food to accompany the card games and conversations. My husband loves two things, cards and alcohol. He has carefully selected a new poker set for this day, bought fancy wine bottle holders, wine cooler wine glasses, some quirky shot glasses et al. All of which he takes a lot of pride in (I hope nobody breaks any of his glasses).

We are all set for Dhanteras, with flowers, lights, mithai’s, jewelry and surrounded with loved ones to welcome goddess Laxmi to our house. Welcome, Goddess Laxmi, please make our home your permanent residence.

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