During the Partition of India, the family lost their home and trading business in Sindh that remained in Pakistan. The family moved to Mumbai and then Dubai.
“My grandfather lost everything when they were uprooted from their home. He came here and started from scratch in Dubai. It was the same for many in our community,” said Mr Chachara, whose 80-year-old father and 76-year-old mother live with him
Diwali celebrations at the Chachara family home in Bur Dubai. Jaya Chachara, prepares lights and candles for the festival. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
The family alter lit up for the festivities
“In India or in the UAE, everyone is digitally connected on Facebook and WhatsApp but during Diwali people make an effort to mingle and meet face-to-face," says Bharat Chachara
In the weeks before the festival, Mr Chachara, his wife and children — like millions of Hindus across the world — rolled up their sleeves for a spring cleaning as each room is dusted off
Mr Chachara and his wife Deepa shop for silver on Friday for dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, when it is believed to be auspicious to purchase gold or other precious metals
The festival of happiness, prosperity and light is spread over five days and celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world
Across the UAE, jewellery stores and Indian sweet shops are packed with people queuing up to purchase orders placed weeks in advance
Tradtional Indian sweets are a big part of the festivities. Traditionally younger members of the family will feed the older members as a sign of respect
Traditional Indian sweets are a big part of the festivities
During the Partition of India, the family lost their home and trading business in Sindh that remained in Pakistan. The family moved to Mumbai and then Dubai.
“My grandfather lost everything when they were uprooted from their home. He came here and started from scratch in Dubai. It was the same for many in our community,” said Mr Chachara, whose 80-year-old father and 76-year-old mother live with him
Diwali celebrations at the Chachara family home in Bur Dubai. Jaya Chachara, prepares lights and candles for the festival. All photos by Antonie Robertson / The National
The family alter lit up for the festivities
“In India or in the UAE, everyone is digitally connected on Facebook and WhatsApp but during Diwali people make an effort to mingle and meet face-to-face," says Bharat Chachara
In the weeks before the festival, Mr Chachara, his wife and children — like millions of Hindus across the world — rolled up their sleeves for a spring cleaning as each room is dusted off
Mr Chachara and his wife Deepa shop for silver on Friday for dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, when it is believed to be auspicious to purchase gold or other precious metals
The festival of happiness, prosperity and light is spread over five days and celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world
Across the UAE, jewellery stores and Indian sweet shops are packed with people queuing up to purchase orders placed weeks in advance
Tradtional Indian sweets are a big part of the festivities. Traditionally younger members of the family will feed the older members as a sign of respect
Traditional Indian sweets are a big part of the festivities
During the Partition of India, the family lost their home and trading business in Sindh that remained in Pakistan. The family moved to Mumbai and then Dubai.
“My grandfather lost everything when they were uprooted from their home. He came here and started from scratch in Dubai. It was the same for many in our community,” said Mr Chachara, whose 80-year-old father and 76-year-old mother live with him
