Hindus celebrate Diwali in India
Hindus across India celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, on Wednesday by holding prayer ceremonies, bursting crackers, lighting fireworks and shopping.
Diwali is celebrated all over India as it marks the return of Hindu god Lord Rama to Ayodhya in northern India after he defeated Ravana, the powerful demon king of Lanka.
Indians celebrate the festival by lighting lamps, bursting fire crackers and distributing sweets among loved ones.
Hindus also worshipped elephant god, Ganesha, and goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and performed special prayers on the occasion.
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.
In central Bhopal city, people shopped for items to decorate their homes.
"There is different feeling during festival. It feels good to come out and buy sweets, candles, lights and we make all these preparations for this occasion," said a resident of central Bhopal city, Manju Sahani.
Hindus worship elephant god, Ganesha and goddess of wealth, Lakshmi and perform special prayers on the occasion.
Some residents in northern Jammu and Kashmir state vowed to go eco-friendly this season.
"We light candles and earthen lamps and celebrate Diwali. This year we will not burn crackers because we want the festival to be eco-friendly where we do not feel like polluting our earth," said a resident, Bindiya, in Jammu city.
Legend says millions of lamps were lit when Lord Rama returned after 14 years of exile in forests after defeating Ravana.
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