Two weeks before Diwali, the lady of the house begins cleaning ( khata-kora ). The children are forced to declutter their rooms. The father calculates the bonus for the maid and the gardener. By the night of Lakshmi Puja, the family is exhausted but euphoric. They wear new clothes, burst crackers, exchange mithai (sweets), and gamble over cards until 2 AM.

Sunset brings a distinct shift in energy. The evening begins with the lighting of an oil lamp in the home's small temple ( puja room).

Do you need a specific or academic level (e.g., middle school vs. college)?