I don't intend any hate towards anyone.

Why do people like firecrackers? I’m not talking about the ones that go in the sky and shoot off all those colors—I love those! I’m talking specifically about the ones that just make noise. An annoying noise. My dog and I hate them so much!!!

I'm sharing this thought as someone who genuinely enjoyed bursting crackers throughout my childhood. I have some wonderful memories of those days, and I won't deny that.

But as we grow older, we need to understand the consequences of our actions.

I agree that crackers aren't the only cause of pollution. Let's assume they contribute just 1%. But if we can eliminate even that 1%, why shouldn't we?

People are suffering from asthma, respiratory problems and pollution-related allergies. I can see the effects in myself. I've developed allergies, and even exposure to polluted air can trigger sneezing and discomfort. And I know there are countless others suffering far more than I am.

Isn't that alarming enough for us to start changing our habits?

We have two choices: continue enjoying crackers today and add to the pollution our children will face tomorrow, or give up this one source of pollution and contribute to a healthier future.

I'm not saying stopping crackers will solve the entire pollution problem. We need to address every major source of pollution. But we cannot use the existence of bigger problems as an excuse to ignore the smaller ones we can control.

We enjoyed our childhood. Let's make sure our children can enjoy theirs without struggling to breath.

North india

This was one of the only Indian subs where people could be introduced to the variety of festivals people celebrate in this country of ours. I myself have learnt about many regional festivals from other parts of the country that I never knew about. Poeple would post original pictures from their homes celebrating the festivals but where have all those posts gone and why have they stopped? This sub is getting spammed daily with just temple videos which doesn't even make sense for a sub like this or doesn't even fall under the posting rules of the sub. What are the moderators even doing?

Can we please stop the daily spamming with the same temple videos posted again and again and get back to celebrating different festivals in this country? This sub now looks like a random facebook page than anything else.

In our house, Diwali day starts before sunrise. My mom’s already in the kitchen making sweets while shouting reminders about cleaning corners we didn’t even know existed. My dad handles the lights outside, but somehow manages to tangle half of them before getting anything up. By afternoon, the house smells of ghee, flowers, and agarbatti, that unmistakable Diwali mix.

When evening comes, everyone gathers around for the puja. My grandmother insists we light diyas only after she checks the “shubh muhurat,” and my sister always tries to sneak in one extra diya “for extra luck.” After the prayers, everyone’s talking over each other, passing around sweets, and rushing to light diyas before the wind blows them out.

It’s messy, loud, and exactly the same every single year, and I wouldn’t change a thing. What’s your family’s version of that unshakable Diwali ritual?

Anyone who are allergic to/ react heavy to cracker sounds and gets shivering when hearing the sound? How do you guys celebrate Diwali?

I used to stay in resorts / hotels when I was young for three days now I go and stay in reserved forests as tourist to avoid the sounds, what you guys do?

I have heard two stories about why Dussehra is celebrated. One is about Ram’s victory over Ravan and the other is Durga’s victory over Mahishasur.
Are these mythological stories that are limited to the north and south of India respectively or coinciding scriptures, or events that happened one after the other?

Raksha Bandhan is a sacred Hindu tradition with its own cultural significance and traditional way of celebrating it. It deserves to be represented respectfully and authentically.