Cities were radiant with twinkling bulbs, colourful candles and exquisitely earthen lamps. For Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, it was a low key Diwali in view of the serial blasts and the devastation caused by the earthquake in Jammu and Kashmir.

Muslims, dressed in their festive best, celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday at the end of a month of austerity, thronging mosques across Delhi and sharing sweet dishes and greetings with their brethren following other faiths.

Streets and markets wore a decorative look as lakhs of devout offered special prayers amid tight security arrangements. People were seen exchanging greetings and embracing each other.

Left: Diwali Kandeels . Right: Kids embracing each other on Eid.

Photograph: Arun Patil