India Celebrates Diwali: Lights, Prayers, and Festivities Across the Nation
From the lively streets of Delhi to the peaceful ghats of Varanasi, and across Tamil Nadu, the entire nation of India is celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with great excitement. People are participating in Laxmi Puja, bursting crackers, and enjoying various rituals.
In cities like Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh, the festive spirit is evident. Temples are filled with devotees, and places like Jaipur are beautifully lit up. In Lucknow, people are offering prayers to Lord Ganesh and Goddess Lakshmi.
In Kolkata, Thoothukudi, Bathinda, Lucknow, Aligarh, Nellore, Pune, Hyderabad, Kottayam, and Vishakhapatnam, people are celebrating by bursting crackers. In Delhi, devotees are visiting temples like Sree Vinayaka in Sarojini Nagar and Pracheen Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place.
Interestingly, Birla Mandir in Delhi is celebrating Diwali on November 1, as Priest Lal Chand Sharma explains that scriptures suggest this date. He extends his best wishes for Deepawali.
Leaders and celebrities are also sharing their Diwali greetings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to extend his wishes. He celebrated with the armed forces in Kutch, Gujarat. Sports stars like Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood celebrities, including Parineeti Chopra, Alia Bhatt, and Ranbir Kapoor, are joining in the celebrations.
Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. People decorate their homes with diyas, lights, and rangoli, exchange sweets, and come together for prayers and celebrations.
Doubts Revealed
Diwali -: Diwali is a major Hindu festival celebrated in India, known as the Festival of Lights. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Laxmi Puja -: Laxmi Puja is a special prayer performed during Diwali to honor Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. People pray for blessings of wealth and happiness.
Crackers -: Crackers are small explosive devices that make loud noises and bright lights when ignited. They are often used during celebrations like Diwali to add excitement and joy.
Jaipur -: Jaipur is a city in the Indian state of Rajasthan, known for its beautiful palaces and vibrant culture. During Diwali, the city is decorated with lights and looks very festive.
Birla Mandir -: Birla Mandir is a famous Hindu temple in Delhi, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. It is a popular place for worship during Diwali.
PM Modi -: PM Modi refers to Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India. He often extends his wishes to the people during important festivals like Diwali.
Sachin Tendulkar -: Sachin Tendulkar is a famous former Indian cricketer, known as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is a well-loved celebrity in India.