Dhanteras.

It's the start of the 5 day 'festival of Diwali'.

Diwali is a five day festival and starts with Dhanteras. The five days of Diwali are :-

* Day One - Dhanteras (Day of fortune).

* Day Two - Naraka Chaturdasi (Day of knowledge).

* Day Three - Diwali (Day of light).

* Day Four - Annakut (The New Year).

* Day Five (Bhai Duj (Day of love between siblings).

The word Dhanteras is made of two words - 'Dhan' which means wealth and 'Teras' which means the 13th day. According to the Hindu calendar, Dhanteras falls on the 13th lunar day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Ashwin.

As we start the 5 day festival on an auspicious note, this is our wish for you this Diwali festive season :-

* Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes,

* Rainbows to follow the clouds,

* Laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag,

* Beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being,

* Faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt,

* Courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth,

* Compassion to feel the pain, empathy to share and care,

* Kindness to cause a smile, big heart to give generously

and Love to complete your life. 

The festival weekend is here, let's spread smiles all around. Become busy in seeing, encouraging and inspiring the best in others.

Giving good wishes to others acts like sunlight, filtering into the dark corners of their mind and lightening their burdens.

The more you develop the habit of noticing goodness, the more your own sense of wellbeing increases.

Do something today to brighten the life of another person.

In this festive time, smile and be the reason someone smiles! Do good, wish good for everyone and stay blessed forever.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a 5' to 6, lit the lamp, switched on the music and opened up the house. We were ready by a half past 9, Kunjumon comes by on the dot and were off to the Maha Ganapati kshetram. After a good darshan, we did marketing of sundries and returned home by 12.

Heavy rains in the afternoon bringing about a power interruption.

A quiet evening.