Lighting up Mumbai on the eve of diwali

Deepawali or Diwali is certainly the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It's the festival of lights (deep = light and avali = a row i.e., a row of lights) that's marked by four days of celebration, which literally illumines the country with its brilliance, and dazzles all with its joy. Each of the four days in the festival of Diwali is separated by a different tradition, but what remains true and constant is the celebration of life, its enjoyment and goodness.

The fireworks went on n on from 7pm to 3am even though the police were trying their best to shoo away the poor civilians right from 11pm who just wanted to have fun.

The Significance of Lights & Firecrackers

All the simple rituals of Diwali have a significance and a story to tell. The illumination of homes with lights and the skies with firecrackers is an expression of obeisance to the heavens for the attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace and prosperity. According to one belief, the sound of fire-crackers are an indication of the joy of the people living on earth, making the gods aware of their plentiful state. Still another possible reason has a more scientific basis: the fumes produced by the crackers kill a lot of insects and mosquitoes, found in plenty after the rains (forget about pollution n stuff...just enjoy the show)

 Sourced from INDIAN EXPRESS
This a traditional way to celebrate Diwali for the residents of Dombivali to celebrate Diwali

 Residents of Andheri create (tried to) awareness by saying no to cracker. ( I didnt know about this...In marine drive these lanterns were making the firework lit sky even more beautiful)

Colorful lanterns and stars hang from roadside stalls on the eve of Diwali festival in Mumbai.