Shillong, Nov 11: Amidst the Diwali dazzle, Meghalaya has also joined in the festive mood to celebrate the festival of lights with vigour, gaiety and piousness.
Markets in Shillong city have been abuzz for past few days as believers prepare to celebrate the festival in a grand way. People were seen buying clay lamps, flowers, crackers and many other ingredients essential for Diwali to celebrate the festival in their best way possible.
Friday was Dhanteras, an important day ahead of the Diwali. People were seen buying jewellery and other items considered auspicious on the day. Dhanteras is a festival that celebrates wealth and prosperity. The main objective of celebrating Dhanteras is to seek blessings for wealth and prosperity in one’s life.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate of East Khasi Hills has clamped restrictions on the bursting of fireworks in the district as Diwali, which falls on November 12 this year, approaches.
In an order issued, RM Kurbah said that information has been received of illegal sale and bursting of fireworks in the district.
Crackers can only be bought from “recognised retail outlets”, she said and need to be domestically made, have acceptable levels of air pollution and meet noise restrictions, etc.
Fireworks can only be used between 8pm and 10pm, with bans on their use in “silence zones” around hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health care centres, educational institutions, courts, religious places or any other areas that may be declared as silence zones by the concerned authorities.
