Mangalore : Deepavali or festival of lights is an important festival for Indians, celebrated across the country on the five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of Kartika as per the Hindu calendar.

The Hindu community celebrates Deepavali by lighting of lamps and bursting crackers. The houses are seen gleaming with Diyas or earthen lamps spread around the house compound wall and steps and with wish to attain peace and prosperity in one’s life.

The celebration of Deepavali seemed to be incomplete with lighting the Diyas or earthen lamps around the houses. Deepavali symbolises the triumph of the good over evil.

Today the earthen lamps are available with different shapes and colours in the market. People were seen purchasing the lamps at Market Road and Hampankatta with shape of three faced gajaraja, Vigneshwara in a conch, lilly, mango, star and square.

The shops also sold Goodu Deepa’s known as sky lanterns which gained special attraction during Deepavali.

Children accompanied with elders will be seen bursting firecrackers or showcasing fireworks in the night sky during Deepavali. It is said that the bursting of firecrackers will be drive away evil spirits.

The festival several rituals including Naraka Chaturdashi, Bali Padyami, Kari, Varsha Todaku, Govatsa Dvadashi, Dhana Trayodashi, worshipping the cows, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja, Bhava Bidige, Pandava Panchami, Hanuma Jayanthi, Hosakki Habba and many others.