He is also Lord of Aesthetics — so to worship him on this particular day, people drink, dance, eat and take in this ‘leaf’ (Rolia) that is crushed and then consumed to get a euphoric/ hallucinogenic high. I can’t make stuff up like this. Only on this day is it perfectly legal to consume this drug which is otherwise deemed illegal because it’s an opiate. From midnight on Sunday the fireworks started, along with a lot of singing all around us. It’s really cool…and it’s a national holiday!
Hindus go to Temple and bring their offerings. I swear, at least twice a month they are celebrating something and I really like that. A lot of people here don’t have much materially, but they seem to be happy.
I didn’t know it was such a huge holiday. Had I known, I’d have gone down the street to see the celebrations. I missed it. Boo! I know there will plenty more things they will celebrate. I just wanted to go to Temple. 🙂
This weekend were supposed to go to Jaipur, but it will be nixed for a bit later date. Instead, we’re going to Delhi to the spice market as well as an area called Chandni Chowk. Not sure if some of you had seen the Bollywood movie that came out about a month ago called Chandni Chowk to China. The main character came from that part of Delhi. I myself didn’t see the movie…I guess I’ll wait until it comes out on DVD in the US since I don’t speak Hindi…yet. Must collect another language! 🙂
I am hoping to snap up some pics and as always, make sure to check out Colin’s picture gallery for the mega cool high quality stuff.
I’ll update after we go.
-Carina-
Was this post interesting? Come read more!
