Festivities mark Diwali celebrations

As devotees made a beeline at temples and gurdwaras to offer prayers, Diwali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with enthusiasm across the district on Thursday and Friday as well.

With the uncontrolled and unabated use of firecrackers, pollution levels in the industrial and financial capital of the state also went up during the past 48 hours.

There was a festive spirit on both days in the state’s biggest and largest district, in terms of area and population, with people thronging markets for last-minute shopping.

Diyas (earthen lamps) and candles dotted houses and people exchanged sweets and gifts on the occasion.

The residents, especially children, burst crackers at various places, including Ludhiana, Khanna, Samrala, Raikot, Jagraon, Payal, Doraha, and Mullanpur Dakha.

Instructions had been issued to the authorities concerned to maintain strict vigil on Diwali night so that the directions of the Supreme Court regarding bursting of crackers for two hours — 8 pm to 10 pm - were not violated but the ground reality belied claims of the administration.

Security was heightened across the district, especially in and around vital installations, markets and places of worship, officials said.

Barring minor scuffles and petty incidents, there was no report of any untoward incident from any place, the police said.