By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Its Diwali time and decorative lights with a festive mood adores the entire city. The CPC General Secretary J L Das said that there are around 40 Kali Puja pandals in Greater Shillong this time.
Speaking to this daily, a housewife of a Marwari family from the town said “During this time of the year, it has been a tradition in our family to congregate under one roof. This bonding has been going strong till date,” she said.
Like her another housewife said that traditionally on the first day of Diwali fourteen diyas (earthen lamps) are lighted in the house premises in the memory of fourteen forefathers and the number increases the day after. “But now such earthen lamps are rarely seen as special lights, which look like a lamp have taken over,” said this Lumparing resident. A resident of North India working here on transfer said that Diwali is all about good wishes, sweets, gossip, firework and more.
With Diwali the sale of sweets in various sweetmeat stores in the city has gone up, too. Some sweetmeat stores are also offering special Diwali packets consisting of Kaju Barfi, Laddoo, Sonpapri including various dry fruits based sweets.The city is also geared up to observe Kali Puja on Wednesday. Many puja pandals in the city have been illuminated for the celebrations. Fireworks, which is a part and parcel of this festival already started since Monday.
Meanwhile, the DC, East Khasi Hills District has prohibited the sale, purchase and procurement of crackers/fireworks producing bursting sound except Tarabatti (all types) and Tubri (without sound) in all public places and thoroughfares.The use of firecrackers is permitted between 6am to 10pm only during the celebration on October 25, 26, 27 and the order will remain in force till the celebration is over.
