Hyderabad: Celebrating Diwali away from home is like missing a cherished friend; you feel the joy of the festival but also the emptiness.
Growing up in Delhi, Diwali wasn’t just about lights and sweets; it was a grand spectacle, even with its pollution and hustle. In Secunderabad, the celebration feels different — a quieter festival woven into individual homes rather than the city-wide celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi or the vibrancy of Bonalu.
The festive season back home in Delhi starts with Navaratri, flows through Dasara, and takes a short pause before Diwali sweeps in with its five-day charm. First comes Dhanteras, then the day of Diwali, followed by Govardhan and Bhai Dooj. For those in Bihar, Chhath extends the season even further.
It’s a month-long celebration back in Delhi, where every street feels alive, every home open, and every shop brimming with lights, sweets, and laughter.
In the South, traditionally Naraka Chaturdashi — the day before Amavasya — is given more…