Homes and temples glow across India as Diwali celebrations begin

ByRachita Prasad BBC News, Mumbai.

Key points

• Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas, or Prisoner Release Day, commemorating the release of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment at Gwalior Fort in the early 17th Century.
• India's financial capital, Mumbai, has additionally experienced high pollution levels in recent weeks, with its AQI reaching 322 on 24 October.
• In the capital, Delhi, the air quality index (AQI) reached 391 on Friday morning, placing it in the "very poor" category ahead of the festival.
• When buying gold, silver or new utensils is considered auspicious and believed to bring good fortune, the celebrations began on 6 November with Dhanteras.
• The second day, known as Chhoti Diwali, or small Diwali, is marked by the lighting of oil lamps and, in some households, setting off firecrackers.

Millions throughout India are set to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, illuminating homes, temples, offices and streets with oil lamps and colourful lights to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.

When the moon is not visible in the sky, the festival falls on the darkest night of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik.

Although Diwali traditions vary throughout India's regions and communities, the festival is widely marked by prayers, family gatherings, the exchange of sweets and the lighting of firecrackers.

But the celebrations come against the backdrop of growing worries over air pollution, particularly in northern India.

While firecrackers set off during Diwali can create the situation worse, seasonal weather conditions and the burning of crop residue contribute to deteriorating air quality.

In the capital, Delhi, the air quality index (AQI) reached 391 on Friday morning, placing it in the "very poor" category ahead of the festival. There are fears that pollution levels could rise further after the celebrations.

India's financial capital, Mumbai, has additionally experienced high pollution levels in recent weeks, with its AQI reaching 322 on 24 October. Although air quality has improved in recent days to reach "moderate" levels of 104 on Friday, there are reservations that Diwali fireworks could trigger another spike.

In a bid to limit pollution, India's Supreme Court on Monday permitted the manufacture, sale and employ of certified "green" firecrackers in Delhi and surrounding areas for a limited period.

These firecrackers are designed to produce 20-30% less emissions than conventional fireworks. But critics have questioned how effective they are in reducing pollution and triggered concern that conventional firecrackers could still create their way into the capital from neighbouring states.

Despite the debate over fireworks, Diwali is regarding much more than firecrackers.

For context, the festival celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his victory over over Ravan, the main antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana, and symbolises the triumph of good over evil.

In the days leading up to the festival, families clean and decorate their homes with flowers, colourful lights and traditional oil lamps known as diyas.

In practice, the celebrations additionally bring families and friends together for prayers, elaborate feasts and the exchange of gifts, and lots of traditional Indian sweets.

While markets bustle with shoppers buying festive essentials beneath brightly lit decorations, colourful patterns known as rangoli are created at entrances to homes.

For context, the second day, known as Chhoti Diwali, or small Diwali, is marked by the lighting of oil lamps and, in some households, setting off firecrackers.

When families offer evening prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, before gathering for festive meals and fireworks, the third day is the main celebration.

Meanwhile, the fourth day is celebrated differently throughout India, with family gatherings and New Year festivities in some communities. The fifth and final day, known as Bhai Dooj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.

For context, the festival is additionally celebrated by Sikhs and Jains along with other notable religious observances.

For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, by Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara, or spiritual teacher, of the current era.

With Indian communities spread throughout the world, Diwali is additionally celebrated internationally, with families and friends coming together for festive gatherings and exchanging gifts.

In practice, the festival is considered an auspicious time to create new purchases. It numerous believe bring prosperity and good fortune. India's stock exchanges even hold a special one-hour trading session for investors who consider buying and selling shares on Diwali auspicious. Known as known as Muhurat trading, it will take place on 8 November this year.

Although rooted in Hindu traditions, Diwali is celebrated by individuals throughout different faiths and communities.

Taken together, the developments around homes and temples glow across India as Diwali celebrations begin point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.