Blasts: Enthusiasm on world famous Dev Deepawali missing

Varanasi, Nov 24 (UNI) The usual gaiety and enthusiasm was missing today in the celebration of world famous Dev Deepawali festival, in the backdrop of yesterday's coordinated blasts in Uttar Pradesh.

At least nine people were killed and several others wounded in the blasts here at the court compound.

The rush of people to the various ghats along the holy river Ganga here on this day to witness various programmes, including the sequence of lighted earthen lamps and other cultural programmes, was evidently missing.

Every year, lakhs of people start congregating at the various ghats here from evening on this day and remain there till late in the night to watch the Dev Deepawali spectacle.

A blend of spiritualism and nationalism was seen this evening on Dashswamedh Ghat.

To commemorate the day and to immortalise gallant soldiers, who attained martyrdom safeguarding the motherland, a programme was organised by the Ganga Sewa Nidhi.

Defence forces with the active support of the Nidhi, blew last post to the martyrs.

Helicopter of Central Air Command, Allahabad dropped flower petals at the replica of India Gate at Dashswamedh ghat.

Three martyrs were posthumously conferred with 'Bhagirath Shaurya Samman'.

This pious gesture was followed by the divine Ganga Maha Arti and 'bhajans'.

However, the cultural programmes and firecracker show on the banks were cancelled.

UNI