Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights

NEW DELHI AP Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Monday as lamps illuminated homes and streets across the country to mark the Hindu festival symbolizing the preeminence of light over darkness Diwali derived from the word Deepavali meaning a row of lights is typically celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts The dates of the festival are based on the Hindu lunar calendar typically falling in late October or early November Shoppers crowded markets to buy flowers lanterns and candles The celebrations were greater part visible in Ayodhya city in Uttar Pradesh state Hindus believe the deity Lord Ram was born there and returned after years in exile People light earthen lamps to mark his homecoming As dusk fell Sunday more than million lamps were lit on the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya retaining the Guinness World Record set last year At least Hindu priests performed prayers in unison their chants echoing across the shimmering riverfront The holy city was also decked with fairy lights and a laser and fireworks show illuminated its lanes and riverbanks Thousands of residents lit lamps at houses and temples Representatives mentioned more than assistants helped light the lamps Nearly families from nearby villages produced million lamps At least liters of oil and million cotton wicks were used to light the city It is hard work lighting diyas oil lamps one by one declared -year-old volunteer Rachit Singh his face glowing in the firelight But when you see the whole ghat stairs to the river light up every bit of effort feels worth it In newest years Diwali celebrations in New Delhi have been clouded by concerns over air corruption as smoke-emitting firecrackers cause toxic smog that can take days to clear On Monday the level of tiniest particulates surged to on the air quality index in parts of the city about times the World Soundness Organization s daily recommended maximum exposure according to SAFAR the federal cabinet s air quality monitoring agency Last week India s top court eased a blanket ban on firecrackers in New Delhi during Diwali allowing limited use of green firecrackers that emit fewer pollutants Developed by federal research institutes they are designed to cut particulate and gas emissions by about The court commented they could be used during specific hours from Saturday to Tuesday