Diwali Celebrations in India: A Year of Jubilation and Environmental Concerns

As millions of Indians illuminated their homes and streets with lamps to mark the Hindu festival of Diwali, concerns over air pollution arose in New Delhi, where the celebrations have been marred by toxic smog in recent years. The festival, which symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, was celebrated with great fervor across the country, with shoppers crowding markets to buy flowers, lanterns, and candles. In Ayodhya city, Hindu priests performed prayers in unison, and the city was decked with fairy lights, laser, and fireworks shows.

Key Takeaways:

Over 2,100 Hindu priests performed prayers in unison on the banks of the Saryu River in Ayodhya, retaining the Guinness World Record set last year.
More than 33,000 volunteers helped light the lamps, with nearly 40 families from nearby villages producing 1.6 million lamps.
At least 73,000 liters of oil and 5.5 million cotton wicks were used to light the city.
In recent years, Diwali celebrations in New Delhi have been clouded by concerns over air pollution, with smoke-emitting firecrackers contributing to toxic smog.
The level of tiniest particulates surged to 347 on the air quality index in parts of the city, about 14 times the World Health Organization's daily recommended maximum exposure.
Last week, India's top court eased a blanket ban on firecrackers in New Delhi during Diwali, allowing limited use of crackers that emit fewer pollutants.
Developed by federal research institutes, these crackers are designed to cut particulate and gas emissions by about 30%.

Statistics:

1.6 million lamps were produced by nearly 40 families from nearby villages.
At least 73,000 liters of oil were used to light the city.
5.5 million cotton wicks were used to light the city.
347: the level of tiniest particulates on the air quality index in parts of the city.
14: the number of times the World Health Organization's daily recommended maximum exposure level was exceeded.
30%: the reduction in particulate and gas emissions by crackers designed by federal research institutes.

Sources:

"AP" — The Associated Press writer Biswajeet Banerjee in Lucknow, India, contributed to this report.