Thaindian News

New Delhi, Oct 28 (IANS) Delhi Tuesday celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with dazzle, firecrackers and prayers for prosperity.Clad in new dresses, many thronged temples, distributed sweets among friends and relatives and greeted “Happy Diwali” to one and all.

After the chants of mantra and the puja echoed in the morning air, the celebrations picked momentum. Boxes of sweets exchanged hands and firecrackers, a whole range of them, 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.”

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.”

Keeping in mind the law and order situation and the spate of terror attacks across India over the past few months, Delhi Police beefed up security in all major markets on the occasion of the popular festival.

Additional police personnel were deployed in the city to keep an eye on suspicious elements.

The fire service department too had geared up by mobilising its entire fleet to face any eventuality.