Diwali – Festival of light:

The festival of light in India had just gone. Traditionally, Diwali was celebrated by lighting earthen lamps signifying the triumph of good over evil by dispelling darkness with light, exchanging sweets and wishes followed by Lakshmi Puja.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety. The festival is celebrated by young and old, rich and poor, throughout the country to dispel darkness and light up their lives. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity as every state celebrates it in its own special way.

The festival of Diwali is truly a “Festival of Lights”, as it not only involves lighting of Lamps but, it brings the light of happiness, togetherness, spiritual enlightment and prosperity for everyone.

With the sounds of crackers killing all bad-omens, the lighted lamps-lighting the lives of people, the prayers and pujas creating an atmosphere full of goodness and purity, the festival of Diwali indeed fills the atmosphere with an aura of goodness and a heaven like atmosphere.

Indians celebrate with family gatherings, glittering clay lamps, festive fireworks, strings of electric lights, bonfires, flowers, sharing of sweets, and worship to Lakshmi. Some believe that Lakshmi wanders the Earth looking for homes where she will be welcomed. People open their doors and windows and light lamps to invite Lakshmi in.

A night of anticipation & excitement, to me, this year Diwali was more of real photographic experience than the previous years. Gone are those days, I don’t enjoy Diwali any more but I watch youngsters to whom Diwali means only crackers and nothing else. The enforcement of new rules to curb child labour, smoke & noise pollution awareness, the extreme stress and fear in animals and the ever rising cost of fire crackers means wasteful expenditure and lastly global issues compels Indians to go green during such festivals.

Here are some of my images of traditional light, firing of flowerpots & rockets captured on the night of Diwali from my house and neighborhood. Truly a photographers delight to snap such images of light & fireworks and I immensely enjoyed the festival the way I wanted.