As the workday ends, the Indian street transforms. The evening "stroll" or a quick stop at a local vendor for chaat (savory snacks) is a common ritual.

Inside the home, the evening is dominated by two things: and the preparation of dinner. Dinner is the most significant anchor of the day. It is a time when the "gate is closed" to the outside world, and the family reconnects. In many homes, eating together is non-negotiable; it’s where the day’s frustrations are vented and its triumphs are celebrated. Festivals: Life in Technicolor

Daily life in India usually begins before the sun fully claims the sky. In many households, the day starts with the sound of a pressure cooker’s whistle or the rhythmic "clink-clink" of a mortar and pestle crushing ginger for the morning .

While the traditional joint family system (three generations living under one roof) is evolving into nuclear setups in urban centers, the spirit of the joint family remains.

Here is a glimpse into the tapestry of daily life in an Indian household. The Morning Raga: Rituals and Rhythm