Diwali celebrations begin in state

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-10-28
PANAJI - Diwali, the festival of lights was celebrated in Goa with joy and gaiety on October 27.
The day witnessed Hindu population visiting temples and houses of relatives and friends exchanging good wishes. The members of other religions also visited the houses of their Hindu friends and greeted them on the occasion, displaying the strong social and secular fabric of Goa.
The day which began with ceremonial bath, wearing new clothes and presenting the gifts also witnessed delicious preparations of pounded rice (pohe). The day also witnessed distribution of sweets and dry fruits. The villages, towns and cities around the state were illuminated with electrical lights as well as traditional mud lamps - ‘pantyo’ and sky lanterns - Aakash Kandil perched high on the houses. The three-day festival will witness Laxmi Pujan on October 28 and Bhaubij on October 29.