Dumas Bhajia's..!!

Nearest Beach is Dumas... but the beach there is hardly anything to talk about, though it does have its fair share of people going there every sunday evening...










What actually is famous in Dumas is the Lashkari Tameta Bhajia's... Sliced tomatos and green chilly chutney covered in besan and fried to a golden brown crisp.







These pictures were taken at 7am in the morning!!!... and you would find entire families hitting "Langar" for some golden brown bhajia's and cutting chai !!!

Ushering in the New Year...

A typical sight captured in Sagrampura area... on New Year's Day morning...!! Its believed by Surti's that one must do away with old Matka's and Jhaadu's on Diwali night and start afresh with new ones on "Bestu Varsh". The SMC had a hard time cleaning up the city and picked up an astonishing 1842 Tonnes of garbage.

Rangoli...Saathiya...!!

Surti women known for their creativity have long been fond of doing Rangoli's or "Saathiya" from Dhanteras to Laabh Pancham in front of their homes to appease the Goddesses.. From the few "Karothi" sellers in old Surat to the "Laariwala" selling colors in posh Athwa Lines area... its been one long journey, and Surti women just love to outdo each other on Diwali night!

A lovely Rangoli in Gopipura area... Apart from the colors n karothi, its in to use diyas and aabhla's!

Marigolds...

Surtis know its Diwali time the moment they see hawkers selling Marigolds all over town. Most Surti women buy marigolds in kilos and make the toran's themselves... while others prefer the readymade variety. I just couldnt resist catching two sellers in a pensive mood !!

Diwali Decorations...

In times gone by, Surtis used to make "Torans" to decorate the entrance to their homes... With times, these have now changed to readymade ones. Should you be buying crackers from any Fatakda Shop, you would come across shops like these selling Trinkets, Torans, Diyas, Readymade Rangolis...

Diwali Crackers...!!

Firecracker Stores used to be at just a few places some years ago, but have now mushroomed all over the city, though quite a few children have adopted the "No Crackers" attitude. But then, what is Diwali without the "Fatakda's"!!!

The look on these childrens faces is akin to being in candy store!! All set to have a cracker of a Diwali'08.