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Their Diwali traditions are much simpler ever since their daughter Akalpita, a Sanskrit tutor, moved away to Dombivili after marriage. Says Ajit, "Diwalis are different for those who have children in their homes."
Sunita makes a few sweets -- some Ladoos, Coconut Barfis, Chuda -- for the home and the rest of the time goes in filling customers' orders. On Diwali day they will do a special Lakshmi Puja. A kandeel will be hung outside the door and the entrance will be decorated with a rangoli. But the Gokhales will be fairly busy filling orders till Bhaidooj, two days after Diwali. On Bhaidooj they will meet up with their daughter and a few visitors are sure to pop by. Their Diwali expenses every year run anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000. Diwalis, explains Ajit, are more expensive that Ganpati Chaturthi for most Maharashtrians because Diwali involves entertaining. And buying new clothes for Diwali is a must.
Ajit feels that Diwali does not have the charm it used to have for young people. "We would wait the whole year to eat that special Chuda or sweet that would be made for Diwali. Now our children can buy it from the store at any time of the year."
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