The residents of Twin Cities Bhilai-Durg celebrated Diwali with religious fervour and enthusiasm. Festival of lights led to boom in business in city markets. The night sky of Twin Cities was illuminated with the light of earthen lamps, decorative lights, and colourful fireworks. Lakshmi-Ganesh were worshipped as the house-courtyard bathed in the aura of light from candles, diyas, and electric jhalars. This year, the excitement was the same in every household, especially when it came to meeting each other, exchanging gifts, or bursting crackers. Relatives and friends made sure to visit each other’s places, irrespective of the distance or traffic chaos. “My friend resides in Nehru Nagar, a locality which is more than 10 km from my home in Bhilai-3, yet my entire family went there,” said Pritam Agrawal, a prominent businessman from Nehru Nagar. After the puja, people distributed offerings of lai (puffed rice), lawa, chivda (flaked rice), toys made of sugar, sweetmeats, etc. Various types of dishes were made in the houses during the festival. Likewise, the city’s multi-storey build ings, establishments, govt and private offices, rail and bus stations, important crossings of the city, and apartments were also lit by fascinating electrical jhalars. In different apartments and colonies, residents were seen bursting crackers in groups. The festival of light was also celebrated at Old Age Homes and Orphanage. The elders and children light up the lamps. All the inmates Old Age Homes and Orphanages lit up the lamps and burned crackers with enthusiasm. Members of DISHA celebrated Dilwai with orphans. They also gifted children with sparkles and shared the joys of the festival.