India soaks in Diwali celebration, WB observes Kali Puja

In an attempt to celebrate Diwali with soldiers, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for Siachen Glacier.

Ahead of his journey, Modi tweeted: "Friends, I am leaving for Siachen Glacier. Its my good fortune that I will be able to spend time with our brave soldiers on this special day."

Later in the afternoon, Modi will visit Srinagar to celebrate Diwali with flood effected families.

President Pranab Mukherjee earlier extended his greetings to all Indians on the occasion of Diwali on Wednesday, a day ahead of the auspicious festival.

In his message, the President has said, “On the joyous occasion of Diwali, I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all my fellow citizens in India and abroad. Diwali is a harbinger of joy and happiness. It celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness. It is also an occasion for strengthening bonds of friendship and goodwill between people of all communities and religions."

"May this year’s celebrations dispel the darkness of ignorance and bring the light of happiness for those who are less privileged. Let us celebrate this festival by reaffirming faith in all that is good, noble and virtuous and instilling in ourselves pride in the composite culture of India. Let us do everything possible to make this year’s Diwali celebrations pollution free and environmentally safe,” he said.

Vice President M. Hamid Ansari also greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. In his message, he has said that may the festival of lights be the harbinger of peace, prosperity and happiness in our society.

He said, “I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the people of our country on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. May the festival of lights be the harbinger of peace, prosperity and happiness in our society.”

Congress President Sonia Gandhi also extended her greetings and good wishes on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi wished all saying: "As we celebrate this auspicious day with joy in our hearts, let us pray for peace, prosperity & happiness for all."

In West Bengal, the celebration receives a special fillip with the observation of Kali Puja, which  is considered to be the second most important festival after Durga Puja.

Dedicated to the Hindu goddess Kali, it is celebrated every year on the new day of Hindu month Ashwin in Bengal.

Interestingly on the occasion of Diwali, the entire India worships goddess Lakshmi- the Hindu goddess of wealth while the Bengalis, Assamese and Oriyas adore Goddess Kali.

In Kolkata, Kali puja is celebrated with immense fun and mirth.

Like Durga Puja, the goddess is worshipped by the people in this city in both their homes as well by the local organizers in pandals (marquee).

A lot of rituals is associated with the worship of goddess Kali, who is worshiped at night with Tantric rites and mantras.

She is offered red hibiscus flowers, animal blood in a skull, sweets, rice and lentils, fish and meat.

It is prescribed that a worshipper should meditate throughout the night until dawn.

Homes may also practise rites in the Brahmanical (mainstream Hindu-style, non-Tantric) tradition with ritual dressing of Kali in her form as Adya Shakti Kali.

Animals are ritually sacrificed on Kali Puja day and offered to the goddess though the practice is now less in vogue. Animal rights groups have protested too this ritual of sacrifice.

A celebration of Kali Puja in Kolkata is also held in large cremation grounds where she is believed to dwell.

Kalighat temple and Dakshineswar Kali Temple are two of the famous Kali temples in the city and on this day the priests worship goddess Kali in different ways in this two temples.

In Kalighat temple, Kali is worshipped as Lakshmi on the day of Kali Puja, reflecting an essence of Vaishnava Haldars on Kali worship.

Thousands of devotees flock to the temple on this day.

On the other hand in Dakshineswar Kali Temple, where famous Kali devotee Sri Sri Ramakrishna was a priest, the celebrations have changed little from his times.

Chetla area in South Kolkata hosts few of the popular pujas in the city.

Revellers go pandal hopping even on Kali Pujas with theme based decorations setting in this festival as well.

In households, people lights diyas and decorates homes with chains of lights to mark the occasion.

Many Bengali homes also hosts Lakshmi Puja on this day.

With the country celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, not just common people but Bollywood celebrities also have different plans to soak into the festive mood.

B-town beauty Asin who loves celebrating the festival of Diwali ever since she moved to Mumbai from the south will be missing out on the festivities this year. The actress, if sources are to be believed, will be flying out to New York before this Diwali.

Said Asin, "I'm really disappointed that I will miss out on all the festivities in the country. We never celebrated Diwali so much back home in Kerala as we do in the north but ever since moving to Mumbai, Diwali had become one of my most favourite festivals to look forward to,  Especially since its closer to my birthday as well! Its such an lovely festival. Though I don't burst crackers to celebrate I love the festival of lights-Getting together with family, everything prettily lit up, dressing up in Indian traditional attire, the mithai!!! But unfortunately this year i wont be here to enjoy it."

Actor Vivek Oberoi said, "Yes I have been associated with the cancer patients aids association for a while now and this diwali I hope to bring a smile to a few children's faces."

For actress Sonali Bendre, "This year Diwali is little different for me as I have too many responsibilities of my family and of course work. Well like every year will be celebrating Diwali with my close ones, buying gifts and sweets but not crackers. I usually prefer staying away from crackers and celebrate safe Diwali.."

Actor Kunal Deshmukh shared, "I have never really been a fan of fireworks and crackers as iv always felt that you do not need to pollute the environment to celebrate a festival...I hope to set an example and encourage people to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali."

Many also took it to the Twitter to wish the netizens and their fan on the occasion.

Actress Mallika Sherawat tweeted: "Happy Diwali tweethearts:)"

Author Chetan Bhagat ‏tweeted: "Happy Diwali everyone! This Diwali, light a lamp in your heart as well."

Actress Gauhar Khan posted: "Hav a happy n a #greendiwali...."