A FESTIVAL FOR ALL

How Mumbai’s Bohra Muslims embrace the spirit of Diwali with chopda pujan, fireworks, and fond memories

- Minal Sancheti

You know it’s Diwali when you see the city dressed in blinding lights, you know it’s Diwali when diyas are sparkling in every household, and you know it's Diwali when we burst crackers and enjoy traditional sweets.

The traders and businessmen deck out their workplaces, as it is believed that the goddess Lakshmi visits every shop and, along with her, brings prosperity. The tradition of worshipping chopdas or the red account book was once a common practice even amongst Bohra Muslim communities.

“My uncles used to go to shops during Diwali. My cousins used to buy red chopdas or books and write the name of Allah in the chopda. The common Arabic phrase written in the account book is Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem, which means In the name of God. It is the commencement word for the Bohra Muslims, says Juzer Udaipuri, an advocate and solicitor. He has fond memories of how his uncle used to get firecrackers during Diwali. And he, along with other kids, used to enjoy bursting them.