Kanpur: The Chhoti Diwali festival was celebrated with fervour in the industrial city on Saturday evening as people decorated their houses with traditional earthen lamps and electric series. Homes were decorated with streamers, fresh and artificial flowers and floor art.Children were seen bursting firecrackers enthusiastically, though many didnt burst them to protect the environment and to make sure pets were not scared or the sick and elderly not disturbed by the loud blasts.Male members of the family got together with friends , while women shopped for new clothes or got busy preparing delicacies at home. Those who stepped out of their homes bought new clothes, vehicles and gadgets, besides sweets and Ganesh-Laxmi idols for Puja.Shopping for jewellery was made mostly on Dhanteras, yet the markets remained abuzz with buyers for diyas, candles and home décor items. The main Diwali day festival will be on Sunday and pundits said the best muhurat (time for prayer) is Drik Panchang that will be from 5.39 pm to 7.35 pm. On Saturday, people also observed Narak Chaturdashi with Deepdaan in the evening and by lighting an earthen lamp near the drain.Meanwhile, as the air quality of Kanpur is unhealthyThe doctors have cautioned elderly people to keep themselves indoor when cracker bursting would be at its peak and next morning when smoke and substance of cracker chemical would be in air. On the eve of Deepawali best AQI in Kanpur was in Kidwai nagar region which was recorded as 102. The PM 2.5 in the last 24 hours on average is 102 which is still high in comparison to normal value.Similarly PM 10 value is 72 that too is high against normal value. The mercury in the morning dipped to 20 degree and some areas of the city had faced light showers in the morning which also dropped the mercury. However day temperature was 31 degree Celsius.We also published the following articles recentlyNo crackers; we decorate our home with diyas on Diwali: VedhikaVedhika, the Kaaviyathalaivan actress, shares her special connection with Diwali. She celebrates the festival with her family, performing pujas and lighting diyas. Not a fan of firecrackers, she prefers decorating her home with flowers. One memorable Diwali was spent in the Maldives after the COVID-19 lockdown, where they performed a puja by the ocean and enjoyed sheera prepared by the chef.Diyas, lanterns or electric lamps: Illuminate your home for DiwaliAs Diwali approaches, there are various options available in the market to decorate your home. From handcrafted lights to electric alternatives, you can find everything to light up your favorite spaces. Product stylists suggest using Moroccan lanterns for indoors and string lights for outdoors. For Diwali parties, it is recommended to use energy-efficient LEDs and electric candles. Handmade clay diyas and solar-powered fairy lights are also sustainable options. However, it is important to be cautious about indoor air quality and the harmful effects of burning candles and lamps.Narak Chaturdashi 2023: Date, Timings, Puja Rituals and Significance of Chhoti DiwaliNarak Chaturdashi is an auspicious day celebrated as Choti Diwali, dedicated to the worship of various gods and goddesses. It holds great significance among Hindus and commemorates the victory of good over evil. Legend has it that Lord Krishna, along with his wife Satyabhama, killed the demon Narakasura and saved 16,000 girls. People celebrate by decorating their homes, worshiping Lord Krishna, and lighting lamps. It is also celebrated as Kali Chaudas, Roop Chaudas, and Bhoot Chaturdashi in some regions.

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