Mangalore, Nov 1: The Diwali fervour is already in the air. The streets of Mangalore wore a festive look as people thronged in large numbers to purchase resplendent embellishments for their homes for this Diwali.
On Saturday, purchasers had ventured to market in morning to complete the last minute purchases as the festival begins on Sunday.
Small vendors to malls, the commercial establishments were all abuzz. The markets and malls of the city wore a festive look with various articles for home decoration selling like hot cakes. Some were already attending the pre-Diwali bashes, others were checking out the list of preparations to host guests at the their homes or visiting their friends and family members to share Diwali greetings!
Aastha Shetty, a homemaker in Kodical said, "I have got everything ready for Diwali and the only thing that remains is laying 'Rangoli' on Diwali day. This year, I have decorated my home with terracotta 'diyas' that I would light on Diwali night. Since my husband and I are not so inclined to burst crackers, we have just bought some for our daughter as a part of the tradition."
Sweetshops also saw record footfalls with health-conscious people opting for sugar-free variants and dry-fruits rather than the traditional 'mithais'.
The market was full of roadside stalls selling idols of Lakshmi and Ganesh and people bought the idols for special puja.
Smitha Kotian, a final year BA student, said, "After the Lakshmi Puja, I go out with a few of my friends and roam across the city every Diwali night. We don't burst crackers but I like looking at the sky in the night. Exchange of chocolates is also a tradition that we friends have been following for the last few years."
Shops were decked up to attract people still completing their shopping spree.
Kids were also excited about their crackers and clothes. Shriya M S, a student of class IX, said, "My father has decorated the house with terracotta diyas. I don't burst many crackers on Diwali night because of pollution. But I do look forward to sweets and the delicacies that my mother prepares. The evening puja and rangoli designing keep me busy throughout the day."
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