``This is not about celebrating Diwali as usual or even 100 years of a building. It's our tribute to this vaastu where we were born and from where we went out into the world. You will be surprised to know that there hasn't been a single accident here, forget an epidemic. This building guards us and helps us progress. We are thanking it in our way,'' said Suresh Mandolkar, secretary of the chawl committee. His father, Dhanaji, had moved into the building 1in 1889.

Over the past few years, the chawl residents have been decorating the chawl gate in an innovative way, said Mandolkar. Past designs include a replica of the Gateway of India, Lord Balaji and the Shivneri fort. This year, it's a cut-out of a Kathakali artiste. Contests and cultural events are alsoheld at the chawl every Diwali.