Homes and temples glow across India as Diwali celebrations begin

What the report says

Millions of people across India are beginning Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, as homes, temples, offices and streets are decorated with oil lamps, colourful lights and rangoli patterns. BBC News reports that the celebrations start on 6 November and run through several days of prayers, family visits, gift-giving, sweets and, in many places, fireworks. The festival is observed by Hindus and also by Sikhs and Jains, with each community marking related religious events alongside the wider seasonal festivities.

The report says the festival’s main message is the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, and it carries strong cultural as well as religious significance. Markets and households are busy with shopping for lamps, flowers, sweets and other festive items, while families prepare special meals and gather for evening prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is also widely celebrated by Indian communities overseas.

This year’s celebrations are taking place amid concern about air pollution, especially in northern India. BBC News notes that Delhi’s air quality was in the “very poor” range before the festival, while Mumbai has also faced elevated pollution in recent weeks. India’s Supreme Court has allowed limited use of certified “green” firecrackers in Delhi and nearby areas for a short period, though their effectiveness remains disputed. The issue matters because firecracker use can worsen already high post-festival smog, particularly in major cities.