The new moon night twinkled with thousands of diyas and candles as India celebrated Diwali on Friday. Traditional fervour, aesthetic rangoli and marigold flower patterns at thresholds, illuminations at houses, and exchanges of sweets and greetings with near and dear ones marked the festivities.

Diwali, also called Deepawali or celebration with rows of lamps, is one of the most eagerly awaited and widely joined festivals across the country. The new moon night sky Friday was lit with bright sparklers and flashes of bursting crackers as well as tiny shafts of light from diyas all over the country from megapolises to remote hamlets. In the capital, like elsewhere, the day dawned with people decorating the doorways of their houses with multi-coloured rangolis and marigold flowers.

Elaborate prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesha were conducted in homes and in temples. People, especially children, were excited about bursting firecrackers and lighting sparklers. While the celebrations have a touch of grandeur in megapolises like Delhi and Mumbai, those less fortunate are not forgotten. People donated clothes, sweets and other gifts to them.

In Tamil Nadu, the celebrations were traditional, with people waking up to the sounds of cymbals and crackers, and smells of various savouries being prepared wafting out of the homes. People across the state exchanged sweets, savouries and the special Diwali leghium ( herbal jam) with friends, neighbours and relatives.

Published Date : Saturday, Nov 06, 04:10PM IST

Watch Video....