Indians Celebrate Festival of Light Amid COVID-19 Fears

Indians across the country began celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and rising air pollution.

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People light lamps on the banks of the river Saryu in Ayodhya, India, Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2021. Millions of people across Asia are celebrating the Hindu festival of Diwali, which symbolizes new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The celebrations were especially spectacular in Ayodhya city in northern Uttar Pradesh state, where over 900,000 earthen lamps were lit at the banks of the Saryu River as desk fell Wednesday. Hindus believe the city is the birthplace of god Ram. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Image via AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh

This article was republished here with permission from The Associated Press, however it is no longer available to read on Snopes.com.

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indians across the country began celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on Thursday amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic and rising air pollution. Diwali is typically celebrated by socializing and exchanging gifts with family and friends. Many light oil lamps or candles to symbolize a victory of light over darkness, and fireworks are set off as part of the celebrations. Last year, celebrations in India were upended by a renewed…

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