Deepawali, the festival of lights is being celebrated across the country with traditional fervor and gaiety. It symbolises eradication of darkness and gloom and bringing of happiness, peace and prosperity in the life of people.The President, the Vice President and the Prime Minister have greeted the nation on the occasion of Diwali.
In the National Capital Delhi, markets and other public places are buzzing with activity.People are busy purchasing and exchanging gifts. Markets and houses are decorated with lights beautifully. Elaborate security arrangements are in place to avoid any untoward incident in the festive season. The Delhi fire department has also made adequate arrangements to make Delhi incident free.
In Tamil Nadu, people thronged the temples like Samayapuram, Madurai Meenakshi and Pillayarpatti temples early in the morning. More from our correspondent:
In Tiruchirapalli, people after applying gingelly oil had their bath early in the morning in Cauvery water and prayed in temples. Wearing brand new dress they distributed arisi murukku and sweets like palgova, athirasam, thenkuzhal and laddus among friends and relatives. The district administration had given strict orders enforcing Supreme Court’s order banning bursting of crackers between 10 PM and 6 AM. But still new varieties of fire crackers, flower pots, rockets lit the sky with colour and filled the air with smoke. There is indeed hope for environmentalists as for the past twenty years in Vettenkudipatti village in Sivagangai people celebrate Diwali without bursting crackers for the sake of migratory birds. Fire crackers are also banned near Vedanthangal, Kodiakarai bird sanctuaries
In Uttar Pradesh, price rise of commodities and security concerns have not dampened the enthusiasm of people. People have decorated their houses with bulbs and lights. Massive security arrangements are in place across the state and extra precautions have been taken at sensitive areas in view of recent violence in different districts.