Enthusiastic response was seen from people this Diwali festival season. The markets were crowded after almost two years, following Covid19 pandemic, which imposed several restrictions on movement of people, besides financial constraints.
The jewellery shops experienced usual heavy footfall of customers on Dhanteras Day on Tuesday. The day which essentiates Hindu community people to buy metals from gold, silver and copper. Those who cannot afford buy steel utensils on the occasion. Buying metal on this day is considered to be good omen. Wednesday was called ‘Chhoti Diwali’, as it a sort of gap between Dhanteras and Narak Chatuirdeshi, which will be celebrated on Thursday morning.
Because of the celestial movements Narak Chaurdashi and Lasmi Pujan (which is amravya), will be celebrated on the same day – Thursday.
The flower market is blooming, with mainly Marygold in heavy demand for the Diwali festival. Usually Marygold flowers are used for decorating houses for Diwali festival.
The flowers, which otherwise are very cheap are costing about Rs 80 to Rs 100 per kg on Wednesday. The garland series made of these flowers are costing Rs 70 to rs 80 for a five-feet series.
People who are not interested in making the garlands at home are buying them. Idols of Laxmi, Ganesh, Sarasvati and Kuber are being sold in the market at hefty prices during the festival. The Civic Administration, which become strict during Ganesh and Durga festivals, is ignoring sale of idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).
These idols are usually immersed and kept at home or courtyards for pretty long period.
Despite these issues it is heartening to see markets crowded, after the government relaxed restrictions during the Covid19 pandemic. Although many of the visitors have been using masks, social distancing is blantantly ignored by them in the markets.
People, however, appear to have maintained restraint so far as bursting fire crackers are concerned.
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