The city resembled a pool of colourful bright lights with houses decked up with lamps and bulbs. As the day progressed, the lights got brighter and families across the city immersed themselves in the exuberant spirit of the Deepavali lighting up the streets and skies with firecrackers. For most families in the city, the day began much before dawn. After the morning ablutions before sunrise, the youngsters with an unmistakable sparkle of excitement in their eyes came together to prepare for the day’s puja. Hectic activities began in the kitchen from the early hours of the day.
Draped in the finest of silk fabrics, the women greeted their friends and relatives with sweets and flowers. It was also an occasion for the family members to get together as the city welcomed the festival of lights and the goddess of wealth with grandeur on Sunday. Many families refurbished the interiors of their houses and also gave finishing touches to cleaning, home decorations and shopping and checking out the last-minute preparations for family get-togethers.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Beautifully decorated idols of goddess Lakshmi were aplenty in the market. People also bought an assortment of ‘puja’ paraphernalia that were up for sale at the stalls. Streets were jam packed on Sunday with make-shift stalls selling firecrackers.
Several clubs, hotels and communities across the city hosted get-together parties ahead of the festival.