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Divali spirit beats wet weather

NEW DELHI, Oct 19 (PTI, UNI) — Wet weather and spiralling prices failed to dampen the festive spirit as Divali was celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm across the country today.

Notwithstanding incessant rains during the past one week in part of India, markets bustled with people out to make purchases on the occasion of the festival of lights. Soaring prices did not deter people from buying gift packs as sweet vendors did a roaring business.

However, the sale of crackers registered a slump compared to the previous year owing to unseasonal rains.

CALCUTTA: Celebrations of Kali Puja remained by and large calm in West Bengal today for the second successive year following a set of court orders putting a blanket ban on fire crackers.

With an increasingly strict administration launching a drive against the violation of the court orders, barring few exceptions, people hardly had the craze for the popular brands of fire crackers in the city and elsewhere that turned out to be a welcome change.

While penalty loomed large over those venturing to light up a fire cracker above 65 decibel of sound limit, the police seized tons of these prohibited items during sustained raids on different outlets throughout the state to cut-off the supply. Six persons were arrested this evening for selling banned fireworks.

CHENNAI: Divali, the festival of lights, was celebrated throughout Tamil Nadu today with usual gaiety and enthusiasm.

Unusually, the festival this year went through without any rain.

People rose from their beds before dawn, took oil bath (Ganga snanam) and wore new clothes. For most people, the whole joyous function came to an end in a few hours with the bursting of crackers. Later they sat glued to their television sets to watch special programmes dished out by various channels to mark the festivities.

HYDERABAD: The festival of lights, was celebrated in Andhra Pradesh today, with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm.

Though shopping centres were devoid of the usual Divali eve crowd due to the inclement weather prevailing in many parts of the state till a few days ago, yet large crowds were seen hurrying through their last minute purchases during the past two days as the weather improved.

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Kalyan Singh today called upon the people of the state to make a resolution on the occasion of Divali today to work for the development and prosperity.

Receiving greetings from the people on this occasion at his residence, Mr Singh said the government expected the people to lend a helping hand in accelerating the pace of development, for which it had launched a drive against corruption.

PANAJI: Divali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with traditional gaiety and enthusiasm all over Goa today.

Giant-sized effigies of the demon king, Narkasura, were set on fire at various places early this morning.

Sunny weather, unlike intermittent rains during the past few days, provided people with the opportunity to visit relatives and friends and also do last minute shopping.

PONDICHERRY: At least 14 fire incidents, related to Divali celebrations, were reported from various parts of Pondicherry today.

A thatched roof of a government school was gutted at Kavundanpalayam, near here, while several huts were destroyed in Subbiah Nagar following sparks from bursting of crackers, fire service sources here said.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Divali was celebrated throughout Kerala with traditional gaiety and religious fervour.

The festival was a low-key affair this year as the state was yet to recover from the heavy rains and floods that left a trail of devastation. Unlike in the past, there were no crowds in front of shops selling crackers.