From BBC News · · 1m 50s
Millions celebrate Diwali as pollution fears grow
India marks the festival of lights with prayers, sweets and fireworks, but air quality in Delhi reaches its worst in a decade.
In brief
India marks the festival of lights with prayers, sweets and fireworks, but air quality in Delhi reaches its worst in a decade. Millions across India celebrate Diwali with lights and family gatherings, but air pollution in Delhi has reached hazardous levels, the worst in a decade. Originally reported by BBC News.
Millions light up India for Diwali
Millions across India are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, illuminating homes, temples, offices and streets with oil lamps and colourful lights to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness.
Delhi's pollution reaches decade high
Air pollution in the Indian capital Delhi has reached such hazardous levels that it is the most polluted Diwali festival in a decade.New measures to improve air quality do not seem to have been successful.
Supreme Court permits green firecrackers
India's Supreme Court on Monday permitted the manufacture, sale and use of certified green firecrackers in Delhi and surrounding areas for a limited period.
Critics question green firecracker effectiveness
Critics have questioned how effective green firecrackers are at reducing pollution and raised concerns that conventional firecrackers could still make their way into the capital from neighbouring states.
Diwali celebrates triumph of good over evil
The festival celebrates the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya after his victory over Ravan in the Hindu epic Ramayana, symbolising the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
Five days of celebration and tradition
Celebrations began on six November with Dhanteras.The main celebration on the third day includes evening prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, before festive meals and fireworks.
Sikhs and Jains mark their own observances
Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, from imprisonment at Gwalior Fort in the early seventeenth century.
The key point
Millions across India celebrate Diwali with lights and family gatherings, but air pollution in Delhi has reached hazardous levels, the worst in a decade.
