In pictures: Nation celebrates Diwali

Updated: Sunday, November 3, 2013, 16:20 [IST]

New Delhi, Nov 3: President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh greeted the nation on the eve of Diwali, saying that the festival of light marked the victory of good over evil and was an occasion to strengthen bonds of harmony.

"On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I extend my warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow countrymen and to all friends of India, within the country and abroad," the president said, adding the festival of light was celebrated across the country by people of different faiths and reaffirmed the country's secular traditions.

He also asked for an initiative to celebrate Diwali in an eco-friendly manner.

Prime Minister Singh said Diwali marked the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi also greeted the nation.

Both the women leaders hoped that the festival would bring peace, prosperity and progress all around and strengthen communal harmony.

In Odisha

Foreign Odissi dancers along with Guru Sujata Mopatra celebrate Diwali in Bhubaneswar.

In Rajasthan

Camel herders, gathered for the annual cattle fair, play with firecrackers on the eve of Diwali in Pushkar, Rajasthan.

In Uttar Pradesh

Fire crackers and lamps fill a field with a message to Sachin Tendulkar to celebrate "Diwali" festival in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh.

Near Bangladesh border in West Bengal

Border Security Force soldiers light candles and fire crackers as they celebrate Diwali at the India-Bangladesh border post of Hili near Balurghat in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal

In Tripura

Border Security Force soldiers light candles during Diwali celebrations at the India-Bangladesh border post of Lankamura near Agartala, Tripura.

In Uttar Pradesh

Lakhs of earthen lamps placed at a playground in Varanasi, UP, on the occasion of Diwal.

In Gujarat

Members of a family decorate their house with earthen lamps and rangoli on the occasion of Diwali in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

In Jammu & Kashmir

Special lanterns on sale ahead of Diwali festival in Jammu.

In West Bengal

Hindu devotees wait in long queue to offer prayers to Goddess Kali at Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Kolkata on the occasion of Kali Puja and Diwali festivals.

In Uttar Pradesh

Muslim children celebrate Diwali with sparklers at a Madarsa in Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.

In Uttar Pradesh

People buy earthen lamps on the eve of Diwali festival at Ghantaghar in Mirzapur, UP.

In West Bengal

A Border Security Force (BSF) official offers sweet boxes to Border Guard of Bangladesh (BGB) personnel on the eve of Diwali festival at the international immigration check-post near Balurghat in South Dinajpur districtof West Bengal.