Autumn has definately reached - or perhaps even winter. Hard to tell as it is still sunny and warm during the days and the cold evenings aren't colder than you can still sit outside by the fire wearing sandals.
The change in seasons also brought Diwali, the biggest festival for the North-Indian hindus. Apparently, there are several reasons to celebrate Diwali, but in my hood, they're celebrating Rama's return after 14 years of exile (in these Garwhali mountains - also according to local history). All as it's been told in Ramayana and as I've been told by my friends.
Rama is welcomed by lighting tiny oil lamps for him (and for the following year's prosperity). On the other hand, the deamons are chased away with fire works and crackers.
There were no other guests at Atali over Diwali; therefore, most of the employees went back to their families on one or more well deserved days off. Last night we were only eight left, which is less than a fifth of the normal. More people were here during the day helping with the preparations.
To celebrate Diwali with all my Garwhali friends, I'd spent the night in Silversands (the rafting camp 3 km down the road) with the old bunch. Around the fire in the evening with a classic rum-pani (rum with water) and a perfect view to all the pretty tiny lights in the village Malakunti on the other side of the river.
The night was cold and clear, so all Diwali well wishes the following morning took place with a hot cup of chai and Indian sweets around the warm tandoor (oven). Those, who'd been home in the evening had brought traditional Diwali breakfast, which were very tasteful and greasy.
Jeetu is one of my very dear friends down here.
I went back to Atali after breakfast and spent my day halfways in bed - leg lifted (se previous post to know why...) and to wander around with my camera to document the preparations.
Hundreds of tiny oil lamps had been purchased for the decorations.
The lamps were put all over.
General excitement over Diwali in the midst of the preparations.
It is by the way funny, how Im always reminded in India that gender roles are not god given or naturally. Not because they don't have very traditional gender roles down here that are perceived as plain facts. But because they differ in so many ways from the ones in Denmark. For instance, it is not at all weird that 10 guys spend most of their day putting up lights and decorating the premises - or for that matter that men holds hands and hugs - it is considered all natural - luckily. On the other hand, The Indians are some of the most frightened when it comes to homosexuality, though, in my experience, it is mostly a question of not knowing much about it.
While waiting - one of my favourite movies: 3 Idiots
At Diwali, it is custom to give something - that included me. Because of the ankle, I cant cycle and since the drivers had got back to their families, I got a ride on one of the staff's motorbike to Byasi 2 km up the road, where I could go mad in shopping fireworks to the boys.
And then it got dark and time to lit all the lamps. Atali was poetically beautiful. In the next photos there's no artificial light - except for one where I used my headlight to make the artists, who'd created this masterpiece, visible.
Restaurant and fireplace
Every light is a tiny oil lamp
The staff canteen
No camera would be able to catch all lights or the ambience, but this was the closest I got - and it even includes the artists.
After lights, dinner was served. Tasty fish curry - and of course a dessert. And then. Finally time for the fire crackers. They boys clearly preferred the big booms. And I found myself being the very concerned mother, who'd regularly yelled at her boys on what to do and how to be careful. Perhaps it was because I had bought some of the goodies that they actually listened to (most of) what I said.
Now Diwali is over. The staff is returning and the next guests will soon be arriving. But we will be fine, cause the lights were there...
