Deepawali, the festival of lights is being celebrated today with great joy and enthusiasm throughout the country. Temples, houses and streets are decorated with colourful lights and candles. The festival brings in a lot of excitement across all the sections of society irrespective of their socio-economic background. This festival is celebrated with new clothes, spectacular firecrackers and a variety of sweets in the company of family and friends. All this illumination and fireworks, joy and festivity, signify the victory of divine forces over those of wicked. It is also called a victory of lights over the darkness. The Goddess Lakshmi who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. In West Bengal, this festival is celebrated as Kali Puja, and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped on the occasion. In the South, Deepawali festival often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants. The President, Mrs. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, the Vice-President Mr.M Hamid Ansari, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi have greeted the people a joyous Diwali.<br/><br/> In West Bengal, this festival is celebrated as Kali Puja, and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped on the occasion. In the South, Deepawali festival often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a powerful king of Assam, who imprisoned thousands of inhabitants.<br/><br/>In Uttar Pradesh festival of lights and wealth Deepawali is being celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm across the state. Price rise of commodities and security concerns have not dampened the enthusiasm of people. People have decorated their houses with bulbs and lights.<br/><br/>AIR Lucknow correspondent reports that UP Power Corporation has signed agreements with central and private power units to purchase extra power to meet out the power demand on this occasion. Massive security arrangements are in place across the state and extra precautions have been taken at sensitive areas. PAC and RAF have been made available and 20 companies of PAC have been kept in reserve to meet any eventuality. Directions have been issued for bursting crackers in open places and not after 10 in night. In several districts local administration has put fire extinguishers at important places including colonies and populated places to tackle any eventuality. The government has asked all government and medical college hospitals to remain high alert on this day.<br/><br/>In Mathura security forces are out for Deep Daan festival on this occasion. As per long traditions devotees visits Mathura from different parts of the country to take holy dip with their sisters in the river Yamuna on this occasion. Divers are deployed and lives saving equipments are placed on the bank of river.<br/><br/>The Director General of state police has asked the all Deputy Director of Police and district police chiefs to visit houses of police men who have sacrificed their lives during last one year and light Deeya with their family members. A total of 107 police officers and personnel have sacrificed their lives on duty during last one year in the state. Various organisations and institutions have also organised Deepawali Mela to celebrate the festival. Meanwhile at least two persons were killed and 12 others injured when a devastating blaze gutted a firecracker market in Bulandshehar district. The blaze completely gutted the market in which 30 to 35 stalls were set up. Agitated locals pelted stones at the vehicles of police and district officials when they went to the area for rescue operations. <br/><br/>The festival of Diwali is being celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout Mumbai. The state government is geared up to tackle security and traffic issues. Police has warned that anyone bursting crackers in a Silence Zone is liable to earn a hefty fine. Efforts are also taken by the NGO's and citizens across the state of Maharashtra for an Eco-friendly Diwali. Meanwhile, the Market players will participate in the Muharat or token trading session today at the Stock Exchange in Mumbai.<br/><br/>For the first time, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday celebrated Diwali at the 10 Downing Street, as the Labour leader and his wife lit a lamp placed amid idols of Lord Rama, Krishna from the Swaminarayan Mandir. Mr. Brown said, it was also an occasion to celebrate the strengthening of the relations between Britain and India.<br/><br/>While, Indian expatriate community living across Gulf countries and West Asia is celebrating Dipawali today with traditional fervour and gaiety. Indian Missions and posts across the region have organised a number of programmes where members of Indian Diaspora along with local population are participating in the festivities. In Dubai, the festival is being organised at different community places by Indian Associations where large number of people gather to celebrate the festival with traditional joy renewing sweet relationships.<br/><br/>In Nepal, Laxmi, the goddess of wealth is worshipped with gaiety and religious fervor throughout the country on the second day of Diwali or the Teohar festival today. People worship goddess Laxmi seeking wealth and prosperity.