The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Enthusiasm marks Deepavali

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 10, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Enthusiasm marks Deepavali

Staff Reporter

VISAKHAPATNAM: Deepavali, the festival of lights, was celebrated with enthusiasm in the city on Friday.

Though sale of crackers and fireworks was dull till Thursday, there was heavy rush at the stalls from morning itself on Friday. The stalls near RTC Complex, Beach Road, Marripalem, Gopalapatnam and Gajuwaka did brisk business. The cracker dealers gave discounts up to 80 per cent on the marked price in view of the stiff competition.

The absence of pre-Diwali showers came as a boon to fireworks dealers this year.

Petty vendors also sold crackers and fireworks at different places in the city.

“The cracker stalls near RTC Complex gave up to 50 per cent discount though they had announced 80 per cent discount. I am, however, happy with the quality and quantity of the fireworks. I feel it much better here than in Rajahmundry,” said G.S.R. Sarma who came to celebrate Deepavali with his relatives in the city.

‘Prices high’

“The prices are very high, I hardly got anything for Rs.500. A box of sparkler matches costs Rs.10. Despite the high costs sales were brisk at the stalls,” says B. Ramkumar, a resident of Appayya Nagar Colony.

Textile and jewellery shops in the city did brisk business for Diwali. People consider buying gold for Dhanteras, the day preceding Naraka Chaturdasi of Deepavali, auspicious and many buy at least a small piece of gold jewellery. The soaring price of gold did not deter buyers.

Earthen ‘diyas’ (lamps) decorating the compound walls of independent houses and apartment complexes were a treat to watch after dusk. Some also set up serial electric bulbs for colourful illumination of the premises. Bursting of crackers and lighting of fireworks commenced before 6 p.m. and the noise reached its peak around 7 p.m.

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