What’s Trending this Diwali?

November 13, 2020 ~ Anjali Virdi ~ 21 Comments

Hey my lovely readers. What’s up?

As mentioned in my last post, the grand Indian Diwali festival is here, and people are setting the tone to welcome the festival in full swing. With the extraordinary situation that we are in, most of are trying to avoid stepping out of the houses to stay safe. With Diwali being a big cultural moment in India, a majority of us plan to celebrate the season virtually with our loved ones – which is prudent in such times.

While social distancing continues to be a priority, we look forward to reaching out to our loved ones through virtual platforms including social media. Talking about social media, we all know how the role it plays in helping us connect and reach out – a significant need during festivals.

Looking for Diwali decor ideas that are trending on social media? Exploring gift ideas and handmade options for friends and family to enhance the celebrations? A big trend this year is also towards online shopping as people look to stay home and celebrate the festival with loved ones. While Indians look forward to indulging in Diwali sweets, there is also a focus on shopping for local made products to give a boost to the local businesses in these unprecedented times.

I’m sure after reading all this, you may be curious to know the ongoing trends around the festival. Take a sneak peek into the 10 of the most popular hashtags on Social Media related to Diwali in India. Don’t just read them, use them in your posts to up your reach.

#diwali2020

#diwaligifts

#diwalidecor

#happydiwali

#homedecor

#handmade

#vocalforlocal

#giftideas

#onlineshopping

#diwalisweets

Do let me know, what’s your favourite trend this Diwali?

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9 Lesser Known Facts of Diwali

November 10, 2020 ~ Anjali Virdi ~ 43 Comments

Hey my lovely readers. How are you all? Well, I know I haven’t been active on WP for the past few days, but I was a bit busy exploring other facets of blogging. But I did miss being on WP too!

With Diwali almost upon us, I’m prepping up for some fun festive posts around the season. This is especially for my audience belonging to places other than India, to give them interesting insights into the festivities. I’m sure all of you have read or heard about this yearly festival being celebrated with great pomp in India (although this year the celebration will be on a low-key owing to Covid!)

For me, Diwali is my favourite time of the year. I connect it with an air of celebration, happiness, decorative lights, sound of firecrackers, seasonal greetings, blessings from elders, festive clothes and, of course, gorging on mouthfuls of sweets and savouries. I still recall when I was a kid my dad would pamper me with a bagful of firecrackers, and we’d burst them all within minutes and enjoy the celebration with family. Although this year I say NO to firecrackers in the wake of being environment friendly and to protect the planet. But it is these little memories around the season that are deeply etched in my mind.

A festival that has as many stories associated with it as the number of different traditions and religions that celebrate it. To give a glimpse into it, here I share some interesting and lesser-known facts around the festival.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is India’s most important festive season celebrated in the honour of King Ramachandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the Lord Vishnu).

It symbolises the victory of morality and goodness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. Hence Indians also worship Goddess Lakshmi, the harbinger of wealth, happiness, and prosperity.

The direct translation of the word Diwali in English means ‘row of lights (or lamps).’ This is why households in India decorate their homes with lights and earthen diyas. It is a celebration of light, that culminates in bursting crackers.

Diwali is the time when people purchase gold as a symbol of prosperity. Research says that Indian housewives hold 11% of the world’s gold! And each year the ratio rises!

Diwali is one of the few festivals in India that does not have a regional root and is celebrated across the country with equal aplomb.

Diwali marks the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. Hence on this day, farmers thank the deities for the harvests they had and pray for a prosperous harvesting season in the upcoming year.

Interestingly, gambling during Diwali is allowed as there is a belief that it brings good luck and prosperity in the year ahead.

Apart from India, in the city of Leicester, in the United Kingdom, largest Diwali celebrations are held. Thousands of people gather on the streets to enjoy shows of light, music, and dancing.

The festival is also celebrated in the Caribbean, especially in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. Given the level of enthusiasm for this festival, it is a public holiday in these countries!

That’s it!

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The Face Behind The Blog

November 3, 2020 ~ Anjali Virdi ~ 72 Comments

Hey my lovely readers! How are you all? I know I am a bit late, but I wish you all a happy new month that’s filled with love and happiness.

Anyways, moving on with the post, today I am going to be doing this exciting tag “The Face Behind The Blog”. I want to thank my friends Jan and Olivia from for nominating me. I am so grateful for both of them and that blogging brought us together from different parts of the world. I love their blog a lot and I’m sure you’ll do to. So, don’t forget to like, follow, and subscribe to their blog.

Jan on The Blog and Olivia Lucie Blake

The Questions Were:

Who am I?

Well I think it’s pretty obvious what my name is so I will miss that part out! I’m a 20-year-old media student trying to learn the nuances of new age media.

Where am I from?

I am from India – better known for its varied culture, incredible architecture and most importantly the delicious Indian food.

What’s a perfect day?

My perfect day would be waking up really late in the morning, having my breakfast while watching T.V. Then after lunch, I would go out for shopping with my family, spend some lovely time with them, maybe watch a movie and return home back in the evening. And finally, after that long tiring day, I would just lay down on my bed and binge-watch Netflix while having dinner. Last but not the least, I will go to sleep.

What do I do?

I am currently in my Second Year of University and I’m doing a course in (BAFTNMP) – Bachelor of Arts in Films, Tv and New Media Production.

Why do I blog?

I blog because I love to express myself in the form of writing rather than speaking and blogging is a platform where I can express my views, thoughts, and opinions well. I love connecting with people online and it makes me really happy when people comment on my blog and tell me about their likes, dislikes and much more. I just want to say that blogging is something that makes me feel alive.

My Nominations for this Tag:

Also to all my lovely blogging friends – I love reading your posts and would love to get to know more about you. So, if you want to take part in it, you are all invited because the more the merrier.

Here’s all you need to do:

1. Use the “The face behind the blog” tag to post a little bit about yourself.

As much or as little as you like. Feel free to use the questions above or any others. Include your own pictures. Have fun with it!

2. Tag 2 or more blogs you love and leave an open invitation too.

Get to know the faces behind your favourite blogs! After you’ve published your post, let your blog friends know you’ve tagged them.

3. Don’t forget to tag this post in Jan On The Blog.
So that she doesn’t miss out on the fun!

That’s it.

Thanks again Jan and Olivia for nominating my blog. And to all my lovely blogger friends, I look forward to read all your responses.

Thank you for reading Chasing The Maximum Life!

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