Mrs Patel was out early - she held a tray with a burning stick of incense and a bright pile of garlands of yellow and orange flowers - she draped a garland over each and every vehicle belonging to a family member - two scooters and five cars. This was the day of Dussehra, the tenth day after Navratri, the celebration of Shakti and Divine Energy in the form of garba dancing for nine nights. Today was the finale of the event and everyone would be celebrating. It was a day for blessing your machines, I was told - including your computers ! Even the 'tread-mill', 'cross-trainers' and bicycles at the local gym were decorated with a flower.
Every vehicle in the town was draped with garlands, the townscape had been transformed into yellow and orange. Special sweets were on sale everywhere - yellow fafda and orange jalebi !
Despite the carnival atmosphere and general mood of celebration, a strict eye is kept on illegal drinking, Gujarat being a prohibition zone. As the large 4 x 4 car left the very expensive new district of the town, police flagged it down and the driver was asked to get out of the vehicle and open the trunk, a man dressed in white kurti and pygamas, officiated: "they are checking for bootleggers" I was told !!
Every vehicle in the town was draped with garlands, the townscape had been transformed into yellow and orange. Special sweets were on sale everywhere - yellow fafda and orange jalebi !
Despite the carnival atmosphere and general mood of celebration, a strict eye is kept on illegal drinking, Gujarat being a prohibition zone. As the large 4 x 4 car left the very expensive new district of the town, police flagged it down and the driver was asked to get out of the vehicle and open the trunk, a man dressed in white kurti and pygamas, officiated: "they are checking for bootleggers" I was told !!
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