Neelam and Atul first moved into their Metricon dream home – the luxurious Sovereign 57 – in October 2021, with their first joyous celebration of the festival of light and new beginnings, Diwali, just around the corner.
“During our first Diwali here, we were amidst the process of settling in, surrounded by boxes and the promise of a fresh start,” Neelam says. “The second year, the landscape work was still in the transformation phase. But this Diwali is truly special. It marks our very first celebration in a fully completed home, and the excitement and anticipation are simply electrifying.”
Marking India’s most important holiday in Melbourne is a glorious celebration that involves welcoming family and friends for a feast in their home that’s aglow with tea lights. “While Diwali is universally celebrated as the festival of lights and the victory of good over evil, it holds a deeply personal significance for us,” Atul says.
“It symbolises not just a festival, but the inception of new beginnings. The day following Diwali marks our New Year, serving as a profound reset, a fresh launch into a realm of renewed aspirations and a brighter tomorrow.” Atul
The couple love to dress in traditional Indian attire and begin the day with an intimate moment. "We usually start the day with prayers and offerings to the deities and seek blessing for the year ahead,” Neelam says.
It’s a big deal that requires lots of prep. “Homes are decorated with colourful rangolis (colourful art), petals, diyas (lamps) and decorative lights,” Neelam adds. “Special traditional sweets and savoury dishes are prepared and shared with family and friends. Typically, back home, we would have a lot of fireworks, but here we make do with sparklers.”
Atul says that the couple were drawn to Metricon because of the glowing reputation of Australia's leading home builder, including first-hand testimony from friends who had built with the company in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. Their recommendations offered Neelam and Atul peace of mind that they could rely on a trusted brand in trying times.
“We embarked on our home construction journey during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns,” Atul says. “Choosing Metricon, a renowned name in the home building industry with a stellar record, instilled in us a deep sense of confidence and security.”
Neelam says they felt reassured as they embarked on the home design selection process and then on to Studio M to choose the fixtures and finishes that appealed most to their family. "We had a magnitude of specifications for our dream home, and Metricon provided a diverse array of home designs to select from, along with tailored customisation options that perfectly aligned with our distinctive preferences and requirements,” she says.
They prepared themselves for the challenges of navigating through the rolling lockdowns, but Atul mentioned that they were pleasantly surprised by the experience. “We assumed it would be a stressful endeavour, given the uncertainty of construction during a global pandemic,” he reveals.
“But aside from a minor hiccup involving a delay in timber supply, the journey unfolded remarkably smoothly. From the inception of the initial design phase to the momentous handover of our dream home under the diligent care of our site manager, every step of the way was marked by unwavering support and assistance.”
As they prepare to welcome guests for their third Diwali in their dream home with every detail just right, Neelam is overflowing with excitement.
"The vibrant celebration of Diwali is one of the most cherished moments in our new home, and sharing it with our dear friends in Melbourne, who have seamlessly woven themselves into the tapestry of our lives, evolving from friends to cherished family, is a true delight.” Neelam