NEW DELHI, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- The annual festival of lights Diwali, also known as Deepavali, was celebrated in India on Thursday with people dressed in the best of attires decorated their houses with lights, lit earthen lamps, burst firecrackers, distributed sweets among friends and relatives, and exchanged festival greetings.

People also offered prayers at local temples wishing for peace, happiness and prosperity. The festival has a special significance attached with economic betterment and prosperity for each family, in particular, and the humanity as a whole.

Due to a difference of opinions among Hindu saints and religious leaders about the dates in the Hindu Calendar, the festival would be celebrated in some parts of the country on Friday as well.

The festival was celebrated with much fervor and gaiety particularly because this was the first Diwali after the construction of a new temple dedicated to Lord Ram in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya district, also considered as the birthplace of the deity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted the countrymen on the occasion with a post on X (erstwhile Twitter) by saying, "Many happy wishes to the countrymen on Deepavali. On this divine festival of lights, I wish everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous life."

Considering the rising air pollution levels in the national capital, the Delhi Government had announced a ban on selling or bursting firecrackers. However, the ban was commonly flouted as people indulged in bursting firecrackers, though on a small scale.

The festival was also marked with some untoward fire incidents. A man died in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh when a bunch of hand-made firecrackers that he was carrying on a two-wheeler exploded after the vehicle hit a pothole, said a local media report.

A fire broke out at multiple firecracker shops in Bokaro area of the eastern state of Jharkhand. Fire-tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. Enditem

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