Diwali celebrated with fun, peace in UP

Lucknow, Oct 28 (UNI) The festival of lights Diwali was today celebrated with religious fervour and merriment in Uttar Pradesh.

Till now, no untoward incident has come to fore in the state.

The UP police had laid tight security net for the observance of the festival in peace.

As per the reports, Diwali was celebrated with high spirits in religious city Chitrakoot, where as many as 20 lakh devotees took a holy dip in river Mandakini.

District Magistrate Piyush Goel said a large number of worshippers took the holy dip and also performed 'parikrama' at Kamadgiri, besides the renowned 'deep daan'. Some devouts had, however, sustained injuries in some incidents due to the huge rush.

Chitrakoot holds great importance on the day as Lord Ram, Laxman and Sita had spent a long time of their 14 years in exile in the city. More, as per a belief, the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled as God resides in the holy city on the day.

Earlier in the day, UP Chief Minister Maywati had visited Raj Bhawan in Lucknow and exchanged greetings with Governor T V Rajeswar.

Both the Governor and the CM had extended their hear felt felicitations and good wishes to the people of the state on the eve of the festival yesterday and appealed them to observe the festival in harmony.

Besides, she had asked the people to celebrate the festival in traditional fervour and gaiety and had emphasised upon the need for mass awakening about environmental protection by celebrating the festival in pollution free atmosphere.

The festival marks the victory of the good over the evil, besides the homecoming of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile in the forests.

Large number of earthen lamps were lighted in rows, when Lord Ram had returned to Ayodhya after defeating king Ravana.

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