During their recent visit to Pannandur, Enthy and the rest of the volunteers from New Dawn had the great experience of celebrating Diwali (Deepavaali) with the children.

Diwali is one of the most happiest of Hindu festivals, if not the happiest. By tradition Diwali begins on the 15th day of Kartika and lasts for five days.

On the first day all the doorsteps are decorated with chalk and rice flour designs (rangakis, kalams). On the second day everybody celebrates the victory of Krishna over the evil tyrant Narakasura. On the third day the faithful worship Lakshmi, while on day four is spent celebrating the visit of the friendly demon Bali. Day five is when the men of the house receive the auspicious Tikka from their sisters.

While these five days are being celebrated fireworks are being let off in copious numbers and if anybody can get sleep during this time they must be deaf. Oil lamps are also lit during these five days to show Rama the way home from exile.

On the fourth day of Diwali all the children at the hostel were presented with a gift box of fireworks presented by Enthy, much to their delight. Great fun was had by the children of all ages, including the big children from New Dawn.