THANE: From starting their day with the ritualistic abhyang snan to flocking to temples with their family, Thaneites across the lake-city begin their Choti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi festivities on a cultural and ritualistic note on Tuesday.Even though the festive season of Diwali is largely associated with bursting crackers, feasting on sweets and farsan, purchasing new outfits and exchanging gifts for many youngsters, these traditional rituals continue to be observed on the day that marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura.While the five-day festival of Diwali officially starts with Dhanteras on Monday, the abhyang snan on Narak Chaturdashi signifies the beginning of the festive season for many Thaneites.“For us, Diwali starts on Tuesday as the day is marked with the ritual of holy bath with the sandalwood paste that is applied on the face, hands and legs, thus giving us a fresh start to the year ahead. After the bath we break the Karit fruit with our toe, which is symbolic to the killing of the demon god Narakasura. We then visit the temple at Upvan and offer the plate of faral to the God. Then the whole family feasts on it for breakfast,” said Aditi Ghangurde, a resident of Pokhran Road No.1.After starting the day on a traditional note, devotees spend the rest of the day visiting friends and families, exchanging sweets and traditional savory snacks and creating rangolis.“While we start the celebration by getting up early and having an oil bath, which is believed to cleanse our sins, followed by the aarti of Goddess Lakshmi and touching our elder’s feet, we spend the rest of the day in fun activities with our friends. We all go to each others’ homes and draw rangolis, light diyas painted to match these rangolis and binge on festive snacks and sweets,” said Aanya Kulkarni (18), a Vartak Nagar resident.“We also help out at home by making Diwali faral including sev, chakli, laddoos, karanji and shankarpali and ensure there is enough to feed all our guests during the festive days ahead,” added her friend Sneha Joshi (19).The lack of clarity on the timing to burst crackers seems to have dissuaded some of these youth from busting fireworks this season.“While bursting crackers is a big part of Diwali, we are not sure when it is allowed to do our annual fireworks display this year. We, however, will be visiting Talao Pali and watch the vibrant celebration which happens there,” said Rohit Sangve (25), a Kharkar Ali resident.We all go to each others’ homes and draw rangolis, light diyas painted to match these rangolis and binge on festive snacks and sweets. We start the celebration by getting up early and having an oil bath, which is believed to cleanse our sins

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