Extravagant 25th Birthday in India

by Chirag
(Bangalore, Karnataka, India)

Birthdays in India are a special occasion for the family. They are celebrated differently by different age groups. Small children's birthdays are celebrated in a grand manner! All friends and neighbors as well as family and relatives are called and invited.

Teenagers and adults in their twenties celebrate birthdays mostly by treating their friends, and having small celebrations within the family.

My immediate family consists of my parents, my sister and myself. We have made it a tradition that on each of our birthdays, the four of us go to a restaurant for either lunch or dinner. Other commitments we may have are either completed or left aside for this special family time. On each occasion, we try and go to a new restaurant, to make it even more festive.

On the completion of my 24th and start of the 25th birthday, to make the celebration extra special, my dad planned to take us to a 5-star restaurant in our city called the "The Leela Palace."

This was the first time I had been to a five star hotel, and was amazed by its Rajesthani style and beauty! The surroundings were decorated with lavish greenery and variety of beautiful fresh flowers.

At Leela Palace we chose to dine in a North Indian restaurant, one of four choices. The food was splendid!

The staff who served us were excellent and friendly. Dad told them it was my birthday, so they brought a beautiful chocolate birthday cake for me, which we shared within ourselves and also the people who served us.

It was an experience I will treasure in my life. I am not exaggerating when I say I felt overwhelmed. Only a few from my extended family had ever been there. Everyone, on hearing that we celebrated my birthday at the Leela's was surprised and happy for me.

This is how I celebrated my 25th birthday with my family!