India is gearing up for the Festival of Lights in the times of the pandemic.
IMAGE: Colourful kandils (lantern, in Marathi) like these are a common sight outside homes in Mahrashtra ahead of Diwali.
Residents of Kandil Galli in Mahim, north central Mumbai, have been making kandils at homes. Photograph: Sahil Salvi
IMAGE: These minimalist designs continue to remind us of our childhood. Photograph: Sahil Salvi
IMAGE: The Festival of Lights is incomplete without the traditional lighting of diyas. Here, a potter is seen making earthen lamps at Maloya village in Chandigarh. Photograph: PTI
IMAGE: Dharavi, one of India's largest slums, is home to
Kumbharwada, a potters' colony that is struggling to keep the traditional art of clay
diyas alive.
Photograph: Sahil Salvi
IMAGE: During Dhanteras, businessmen celebrate Diwali by opening a new account book. These books, also called chopdis signify the start of a New Year.
In the photograph above, an elderly citizen is seen binding new account books ahead of the festival in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI
IMAGE: With an emphasis to curb air and noise pollution, young buyers are becoming more conscious towards the environment and opting for greener celebrations.
But what's Diwali without some crackers and fireworks, some of you may ask? Photograph: ANI
IMAGE: Well, you can always switch to green crackers. Green crackers, that are less harmful, have a low emission rate and don't allow dust particles to rise above the ground. Photograph: ANI
IMAGE: Every year, the staff and workers at the Blind Relief Association help put together candles, earthen lamps and festoons made by blind Indians. Photograph: ANI
IMAGE: A staff member at the Blind Relief Association in New Delhi gives finishing touches to earthen diyas created by blind Indians. Photograph: ANI