Post date: Nov 13, 2012 12:49:39 PM
People across India revel in the festive spirit of Diwali as they light up their homes and burst crackers, adding shimmer to the celebrations.
JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN, INDIA (NOVEMBER 12, 2012) (ANI) - People across India revelled in the festive spirit of Diwali on Tuesday (November 13), lighting up their homes to mark the lavish celebrations.
The five day event is often known as the 'festival of lights', because houses and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas.In Jaipur, the capital of India's northwestern Rajasthan state the city streets glowed.
Shopkeeper Jhaman Tekchandani explained to reporters on Monday (November 12) why the colourful lights are important.
"Jaipur city is known for its lighting across the world and tourists also come from far off to see it. The city is quite famous for its lighting and bursting of crackers. The Tonk Road has also been decorated with lights, which was not done earlier. This has been done amid enthusiasm among the people and also to attract large number of tourists."
Similar scenes were witnessed in Ujjain city in India's central Madhya Pradesh state, where people gathered at the temples to seek blessings from god during the festival.
Amid the enthusiasm, priests and the devotees busted crackers and offered prayers at the Mahakaleshwar temple in the city.
The priest of the Mahakaleshwar temple, Mahesh Sharma said that the devotees gathered at there to seek the blessing of Hindu god Shiva.
"The festival marks the beginning of the festival of lights across the country and the devotees celebrated the festival with God Mahakaleshwar. The devotees and the priests busted crackers during the festival," said Sharma.
It is also considered the perfect time for souvenir shopping as people make a beeline for the markets to purchase earthen lamps, sweets and other decorative items.
Arul Silvi from Chennai city in India's southern Tamil Nadu state said on Tuesday (November 13) that sweets have been made and crackers have been purchased.
"We are celebrating Diwali today. All of us are very much excited and we were waiting for these happy moments. Now we are really enjoying it. All our relations have come from abroad and we are celebrating together. We had made lot of preparations for this. We have made enough of sweets and we have purchased crackers and it is a big day for us."
In the Vikrama calendar Diwali is a New Year festival, which celebrates the victory of good over evil.
Diwali is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety all over India as it marks the return of Hindu god Lord Ram to Ayodhya in northern India after he defeated Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka.
Legend says millions of lamps were lit when Lord Ram returned after 14 years of exile in forests and after he defeated Ravana.
Diwali is also celebrated in honour of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is believed that goddess Lakshmi, signifying prosperity, showers her blessings upon those homes that are clean and well lit.