Homes and temples glow across India to mark Diwali

ByRachita Prasad BBC News, Mumbai. Updated 2 hours ago.

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.
• Air pollution in the Indian capital Delhi has reached such hazardous levels that it is the most polluted Diwali festival in a decade.
• 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.
• The fourth day is celebrated differently throughout India, with family gatherings and New Year festivities in some communities.

Millions throughout India are celebrating 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.

Air pollution in the Indian capital Delhi has reached such hazardous levels that it is the most polluted Diwali festival in a decade. New measures to improve air quality do not seem to have been successful.

India's financial capital, Mumbai, has additionally experienced high pollution levels in recent weeks.

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% fewer emissions than conventional fireworks. But critics have questioned how effective they are at 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.

Notably, the festival celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravan, the main antagonist in the Hindu epic Ramayana, and symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

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 favourable. 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.

In short, homes and temples glow across India to mark Diwali is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.