New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on Diwali and wished that the festival of lights brings joy, prosperity and health into the lives of everyone. "Wishing everyone a Happy Diwali! May this special festival bring joy, prosperity and wonderful health to everyone's lives," the Prime Minister said in a post on 'X'.
Leaders and dignitaries extended greetings to the people on the festival day. President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday greeted the people of the country on the eve of Diwali, urging them to bring happiness and prosperity into the lives of the poor and needy by sharing their joys with them. Preparations for Diwali are in full swing in different states. The cities are all decked up as Diwali approaches. People all across the country have decorated their houses with colourful lights, rangolis, and flowers to celebrate the festival of joy.
Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or the new moon), the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on November 12. Diwali is the festival of lights. It symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Social media is flooded with posts of people celebrating Diwali.
In the midst of this, a rangoli carnival was organised on the occasion of Diwali in Rajkot. On the occasion of Diwali, an artist from Indore, Shikha Sharma, created 14 thousand square feet of rangoli in Indore. A team of 15 artists, including Shikha, took two days to complete the beautiful rangoli. The officers and jawans of the Indian Army in Naushera in J-K's Rajouri district also celebrated the festival of Diwali on Saturday by lighting candles and Diyas away from their homes.
Meanwhile, in a remarkable feat, Ayodhya has set a new Guinness world record by lighting over 22.23 lakh 'Diyas' (earthen lamps) during 'Deepotsav 2023'. The temple town broke its world record of 15.76 lakh Diyas lit last year on Diwali eve. After the counting of lamps done by drone, 'Deepotsav 2023' has entered the Guinness Book of World Records, a release said. The Uttar Pradesh Government's 'Grand Deepotsav' was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records after representatives from the organisation witnessed and acknowledged the achievement of lighting an unprecedented number of lamps simultaneously at a single location.