World | India
Delhi celebrates Diwali with lights and good will
Delhi on Monday celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with dazzle, firecrackers and prayers for prosperity.
- IANS
- Published: 23:31 October 28, 2008
New Delhi: Delhi on Monday celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with dazzle, firecrackers and prayers for prosperity.
Clad in new clothes, many thronged temples, distributed sweets among friends and relatives and wished "Happy Diwali".
After the chants of mantra and the puja echoed in the morning air, the celebrations picked momentum. Boxes of sweets exchanged hands and firecrackers created deafening sounds.
The celebrations started early on in the day with people decorating their homes with colourful rangolis, placing flowers on doorsteps and on doors.
Later in the evening, the city glittered with millions of lights - from tiny earthen diyas to dazzling strings of electric bulbs that lit up homes, buildings and offices.
Sakesh Pandey, an IT professional, said: "We went to a temple and exchanged sweets among our neighbours. The festival symbolises brotherhood and amity."
Cracker debate
Pandey, however, said he did not waste much money on firecrackers as they lead to air pollution.
Sunaina, a social activist, said: "We celebrated the spirit of the festival. I am completely against noise and air pollution."
However, Ravi Naik, a college student, said he purchased crackers worth Rs.1,500. "It's once-in-a-year celebration. I enjoyed it to the fullest."
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
