Diwali grand celebration

Diwali was celebrated with joy and gaiety across India as millions lit candles and diyas, exploded crackers and shared sweets and gifts with friends and neighbours. By late evening, hundreds of thousands of traditional earthen lamps and electric festoon lights brightened homes, shops and work places in what is undoubtedly India's most celebrated festival.

The festival of lights marks the triumph of good over evil, and is widely believed to mark the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon king Ravana. Across the country, people prayed to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi at home and in temples. Diwali prayers were also offered in innumerable

Almost everywhere, there was plenty of last minute shopping -- for gifts, plenty of sweets and dry fruits, and other goodies ranging from Hindu idols to precious jewellery. With traditional greeting cards losing out to e-cards and SMS greetings, mobile telephone companies made a huge kill. Diwali festival every year sees mass migration of working people from major urban centres to their hometowns and villages.