Nation celebrates Diwali with fervor

New Delhi [India], Oct. 30 (ANI): The nation is today celebrating festival of lights Diwali with great enthusiasm and fervor. Diwali was celebrated yesterday in different states. The people wore new dresses and prayed in temples in Tamil Nadu. In Puducherry, people burst crackers everywhere to enliven the festival of light. In Sri Lanka, the Hindu community celebrated the festival of Deepawali with traditional fervour. The people thronged the temples in Colombo in large numbers from early morning and prepared colourful Rangolis at their homes. Delhi's Akshardham temple was lit up for the festival. Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) was lit up on the occasion of Diwali last night. School students in Nagpur celebrated Diwali by paying tribute to the martyrs.The national capital is fully decked up to celebrate. People in large numbers were seen thronging to shops to buy candles, lamps, crackers and gifts for their near and dear ones Saturday evening. President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari have greeted the people on the occasion. In a message President Mukherjee said Diwali is a harbinger of hope and aspirations for a better tomorrow and signifies the triumph of good over evil. Vice-President Ansari hoped that the festival will bring peace, harmony, prosperity and happiness in everyones life. Blind children celebrated Diwali by singing traditional songs in Mumbai. Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Javeed Ahmed yesterday celebrated Diwali in an old age home in Lucknow. However, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) cadres have decided to not celebrate Diwali due to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa's sickness. (ANI)