The Indian day begins early, often before sunrise. The first story is that of the (or grandmother). At 5:30 AM, she is already awake, the sound of her brass kalash (water pot) echoing as she draws water for the morning puja (prayer). She lights the diya (lamp) in the family temple, its flame cutting through the pre-dawn darkness. The smell of sandalwood incense and fresh jasmine flowers mingles with the first brew of filter coffee in the South or chai (tea) in the North.
