Hindus celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights

(3 Nov 2013) Millions of Indians were setting off deafening firework displays on Sunday to light up the sky for Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, which celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Hindus across India handed out sweets, exchanged greetings with friends and relatives, and adorned their homes with glowing lanterns and oil lamps as they celebrated the country’s most important festival of the year. Diwali marks the return home of the Hindu god Rama from a 14-year exile after killing the demon Ravana, who had abducted his wife, Sita, according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana. A near-constant stream of fireworks and firecrackers lasting until midnight was expected to leave a dark, smoggy cloud lingering for days - a matter of concern for environmentalists. Mindful of the pollution and the dangers of the deafening displays, authorities pushed this year to cut down on the number of fireworks, and some schools sent notices home urging parents not to buy any. The state-run Ce