Chandigarh/Panchkula/Diwali

Just to clarify, Ankita lives in Panchkula a place next to Chandigarh but Chandigarh is the big big city most people know. So I’ve been having a severe running nose for a few days now. I’m thinking it’s allergies from all the dust and pollution right? Nope. A cold, a very recognizable feeling, this one turns into bronchitis for me. I begin my Amoxicillin treatment, thank god I brought it from home. I’m going through tons of tissue and this is the most important resource I have cause once it runs out, who knows what I’ll do. Ankita’s parents are so lovely. From this post on, I’ll refer to them as Auntie and Uncle. I went to bed early that night and woke up to a sweaty fever type of feeling. Ankita hands me the thermometer to check my temperature and it’s not a fever which is strange. I so stupidely wash the thermometer and shake it off to dry but smash it again the side of the sink. Glass and mercury everywhere. Ankita begins cleaning it, I’m feeling like crap. What a terrible house guest I am!

Today is also Diwali (Indian Festival of Lights). This is the biggest festival in the world for Indians, equivalent to Christmas in the Western World. We go out to see the giant mansions all their neighbours live in which are decorated from top to bottom in Christmas lights. This much lighting I’ve never seen before in Canada.

They’ve managed to cover every single square inch of their house with lights-what a sight! Ankita took me to Mansa Devi Mandir in the morning which is very close to their house. After in the evening, Uncle, Auntie, Ankita, and I
did a quick and easy pooja for Diwali and then ate some lovely Prasad (fruits and nuts blessed by the Gods). By this time I’m feeling not so
well and decide to pass out and miss dinner which was rajma and rice.

GALLERY OF Chandigarh/Panchkula/Diwali