Dawn :

Hindu girls busy in their religious rituals during Diwali Festival in Shiva Mandir at Thandi Sarak. —APP
The Hindu community celebrated the Diwali Festival (the festival of light) with religious fervour, traditional zeal and enthusiasm on Wednesday.
People across the country illuminated their worship places on the eve of Diwali Festival.

Hindu girls offer prayers during Diwali Festival in Shiva Mandir at Thandi Sarak. —APP

Diwali is a colourful festival involving lighting candles, worship, celebrations and prayers.

Twenty-one days after Dussehra comes the most awaited festival among Hindus, “Diwali”, celebrated to mark the day when Lord Rama returned home after his 14-year exile.

A vendor displaying the earth lamps to attract the Hindu community customers to be used during their religious Festival Diwali. —APP

It is a five-day Hindu festival and during this time, houses are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.

Candles and lamps are lit in and outside every home as a greeting to Lakshmi.

Hindu girl plays with fireworks to celebrate Diwali at Hindu Colony Shree Swami Narayan Temple. —APP

All celebrations end at daybreak, the people then visit friends, relatives and exchange sweets and gifts. Special ceremonies were held by local Hindu community in connection with the festival.

Hindu women play with fireworks to celebrate Diwali Festival at Balmic Mandir. —APP

The local Hindu leaders cut the Diwali cake and distributed gifts and sweets.

Vendors display fireworks to attract the customers. —APP

The Pandits and devotees held prayers in different temples for integrity, solidarity and security of the country.

Children celebrate Diwali festival. —APP

Meanwhile, the police had made tight security arrangements in and around the Hindu temples to avert any untoward incident.

Hindu girl celebrates Diwali festival. —APP

Hindu family celebrates Diwali festival at Balmic Mandir. —APP