Deepawali, the festival of lights is being celebrated across the country with traditional fervor and gaiety Fireworks illuminated the evening sky, earthen lamps dotted houses and people exchanged sweets and gifts on the occasion. The bonhomie was also witnessed between Indian and Pakistani guards at border posts.

AIR correspondent reports that adequate security arrangements are in place at market and other public places in the national capital.

In Amritsar, thousands of people paid obeisance in the Golden Temple, which was illuminated by fancy lights. Community feast – langar – was arranged for over three lakh devotees. On Deepawali in 1620, sixth Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was released by Mughal emperor Jahangir from Gwalior fort.

In Tamilnadu,Deepawali celebrations were dampened by seasonal rain. Our Chennai correspondent JOY says, rains brought joy to the farmers but disappointment to children.

People visited temples early in the morning and exchanged greetings and distributed sweets to their friends and neighbours. Diwali brings sweets, new dresses, fire crackers and also new block busters… Theatres in the city were decorated with festoons and electronic banners signifying new films of favorite heroes. Scenes of long queues could be seen in front of theatres in spite of the rain.

Though most of the day, people were stuck to their TV sets watching their favourite diwali specials rains spared them in the evening. Bursting of crackers and beautiful fireworks lit up the sky to call it a diwali.

Deepawali is also being celebrated in Jammu Division with fervor and enthusiasm.

Reports of Deepawali celebrations are also coming in from abroad. In the United States, Senate passed a resolution greeting Hindus, Sikhs and Jains in the US and across the globe on the occasion.

AIR West ASIA correspondent reports the festival of lights is being held with traditional gaiety and fervour among the expatriate Indian community in Dubai.