Decorated lights decked up buildings and Diya’s (earthen lamps) dotted houses as people across the country celebrated Diwali on Sunday, 27 October with much fanfare amid some restrictions on bursting of firecrackers imposed by the Supreme Court. People exchanged sweets and gifts, visited temples and greeted each other, with many of them taking the virtual route to convey their wishes.
There was, however, no traditional exchange of sweets with Pakistani soldiers along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir or the Indo-Pak border in Punjab, officials said.
President Ram Nath Kovind greeted the people of the country and urged them to "try to bring happiness in the lives of those who are less fortunate and needy by lighting the lamp of love, care and sharing".
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu also extended Diwali wishes to the people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri earlier in the day to spend Diwali with Indian Army personnel, hoped that this festival brightens everyone's "lives with prosperity and good health" and there is "happiness all around".
Here’s how India celebrated the festival of lights this year, in pictures:
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