New Delhi:
Diwali 2018 is upon us and as the nation rejoices and celebrates the Festival of Lights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine in Kedarnath and will review the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects Wednesday- November 7. The prime minister arrived at the holy pilgrimage town at around 9:45 am this morning and is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the carnival of lights. After offering prayers at the temple, Modi took a stock of the reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri. He was shown a video at the guest house within the temple premises to apprise him about the progress of the projects at the township.
#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/g4ofNo74Ks
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is celebrating Diwali with the Indian Army troops deployed at forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley, along with Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane and other senior Army officials. She will fly over the Dibang Valley and visit Anini and Andrala Omkar forward posts in the district and meet the troops there, Kohima-based Defence spokesman Col Chiranjit Konwer told reporters.
Read | Deepotsav: Faizabad district to be renamed as Ayodhya; hospital, airport will be built: Yogi Adityanath
Diwali, the 'festival of lights' is one of the biggest carnivals in India. It is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across India and abroad. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, calling for a fresh start with the opportunity to let go of past grudges, and make merry.
As part of the Diwali festivity, thousands of Indians from across the globe return home and enjoy the warmth of families and friends to paint a perfect picture of the celebrations. Candlelights, earthen lamps, homes filled with the delicious aroma of mouth-watering sweets, delicacies and fireworks are also an important part of the festivity.
Based on their religious believe, people worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama and Goddess Kali in different parts of the country. In most of the regions, Diwali is believed to be the homecoming of Lord Rama with Sita and Laxmana after a long exile of 14 years.
Read | Dhanteras 2018: Gold never disappoints its investors | Know why
Here are the LIVE updates from Diwali celebrations 2018:
PM Modi extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work
On #Diwali, PM Modi visited Kedarnath today. He offered prayers at Kedarnath Temple. He extensively walked around the temple complex, where reconstruction works are in progress. He was briefed by senior officials about the progress of the work. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/ZL38dK6PIZ
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
As an RSS member, I got the opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension. Many governments came and left. Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So, after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP: PM Modi
As an RSS member,I got opportunity to live among Army men. At that time I heard a lot about One Rank One Pension.Many govts came&left.Since I was connected to you I understood your emotions. So,after becoming PM it was my responsibility to fulfill your dreams of OROP:PM in Harsil pic.twitter.com/SjcB59EOLn
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was greeted by the locals in Harsil earlier today, where he celebrated #Diwali with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces. pic.twitter.com/eOLx6Hugip
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of Diwali
Delhi: People throng the flower mandi in Ghazipur to purchase flowers on the occasion of #Diwali pic.twitter.com/3Aih3CsYl3
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Kedarnath
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi leaves from Kedarnath. pic.twitter.com/rtSatk53Hw
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchange sweets at Attari-Wagah border on the occasion of Diwali
Punjab: Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers exchanged sweets at Attari-Wagah border today, on the occasion of #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/CuO8VG7CfL
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple
Uttarakhand: PM Narendra Modi meets locals at Kedarnath after offering prayers at Kedarnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/GHvnjcqCwr
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath. pic.twitter.com/Mdi9fRRWwX
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He is gearing up to celebrate Diwali at the divine pilgrimage town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaches Kedarnath. He will celebrate #Diwali here today. pic.twitter.com/k4tcUnUiY8
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
PM Modi said India is taking great strides forward in defence. He mentioned various measures being taken for the welfare of ex-servicemen, including One Rank, One Pension. The prime minister said that Indian Armed Forces draw admiration and appreciation across the world, in UN peacekeeping operations
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/YW0m6YAbTb
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
PM Modi addresses Indian Armed Forces in Uttarakhand's Harsil: Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians, says PM Modi
Your devotion to duty in the remote icy heights is enabling the strength of the nation, and securing the future and the dreams of 125 crore Indians: PM Modi to Jawans of the Indian Armed Forces at Harsil in Uttarakhand #Diwali (file pic) pic.twitter.com/C2bMq38AuS
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun to celebrate the festival of Diwali in Kedarnath
Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Dehradun; he will celebrate the festival of #Diwali in Kedarnath pic.twitter.com/rAhdGJg1Dd
— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends Diwali greetings to the nation: Happy #Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!
दीपावली की सà¤à¥€ देशवासियों को हारà¥à¤¦à¤¿à¤• बधाई। मेरी कामना है कि पà¥à¤°à¤•à¤¾à¤¶ का यह पावन परà¥à¤µ सबके जीवन में सà¥à¤–, शांति à¤à¤µà¤‚ समृदà¥à¤§à¤¿ लेकर लाà¤à¥¤
Happy Diwali! May this festival bring happiness, good health and prosperity in everyone’s lives. May the power of good and brightness always prevail!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2018