Diwali celebrated with gusto in Jammu

Jammu, Oct 29 (UNI) There was not even a sign of over 60-day-long grueling agitation in Jammu, when it came to the celebrations of the 'Festival of Lights'.

Diwali is the greatest festival of India, for which people of different religions have their own or common reasons to celebrate.

While children love crackers and elders pray for wealth, there are several others who participate for the reasons of others to celebrate the day.

''Money means money for one and all No one is Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Muslim in the eyes of wealth which moves through every hand but stays with a chosen few,'' remarked Surjit Singh, a businessman while decorating his shop on Diwali.

However, his sons had different reason to celebrate this festival as they were fond of crackers and busy with their friends, who seemed to be from non-Sikh families.

For the traders the seasons had not been that positive with markets continuously loosing holdings, but they were also up with hopes and leaving no stone unturned to please the goddess.

Being hit severely with the Sensex continuously sliding southwards, a majority included the people, following different faiths of worships in this pluralist society prayed for the kindness of the Goddess of Wealth.

''Whatever religion we follow is not an issue, but as there is belief we also decorate house to welcome the Goddess of Wealth and wish for the brighter days for Indian market,'' said Javed Khan, another businessman, who also does online trading.

A UNI correspondent, who visited in different places in the city to witness the Diwali celebration, found well-decorated and lightened houses in the localities of Muslim and Christian communities.

Tight security arrangements were put in place to ensure safe and sound celebrations as city was abuzz with shoppers purchasing crackers, flowers, contemporarily or traditional lighting material.

While markets were given bridal look, businessmen had also come up with freebies with daily use and household items to attract people.

People were seen visiting their relatives and friends and exchanging gifts to celebrate the Diwali festival, which culminated with the prayers of Goddess Laskshmi -- Goddess of Wealth in their illuminated houses, followed by busting of fire crackers.

Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November. For many, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. However, southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura.

Religiously, Sikhs also mark the Diwali day as the return of sixth guru Shri Hargobind to Darbar Sahib ''Golden Temple'' who was released from Gwalior Fort and along with 53 Hindu Kings (political prisoners). Similarly, in Jainism the day marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BC.

UNI VJ SW RAI1505