Diwali 2018 celebrations: PM Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple; greeted by local people in Harsil

Diwali 2018 is upon us and as the nation rejoices and celebrates the Festival of Lights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine in Kedarnath and will review the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects Wednesday- November 7. The prime minister arrived at the holy pilgrimage town at around 9:45 am this morning and is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the carnival of lights. After offering prayers at the temple, Modi took a stock of the reconstruction projects underway at Kedarpuri. He was shown a video at the guest house within the temple premises to apprise him about the progress of the projects at the township.

#WATCH: PM Narendra Modi offers prayers at Kedarnath Temple in Kedarnath. #Uttarakhand pic.twitter.com/g4ofNo74Ks

— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2018

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is celebrating Diwali with the Indian Army troops deployed at forward posts in Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley, along with Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Manoj Mukund Naravane and other senior Army officials. She will fly over the Dibang Valley and visit Anini and Andrala Omkar forward posts in the district and meet the troops there, Kohima-based Defence spokesman Col Chiranjit Konwer told reporters.

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Diwali, the 'festival of lights' is one of the biggest carnivals in India. It is observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across India and abroad. Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, calling for a fresh start with the opportunity to let go of past grudges, and make merry.

As part of the Diwali festivity, thousands of Indians from across the globe return home and enjoy the warmth of families and friends to paint a perfect picture of the celebrations. Candlelights, earthen lamps, homes filled with the delicious aroma of mouth-watering sweets, delicacies and fireworks are also an important part of the festivity.

Based on their religious believe, people worship Lord Ganesha, Lord Rama and Goddess Kali in different parts of the country. In most of the regions, Diwali is believed to be the homecoming of Lord Rama with Sita and Laxmana after a long exile of 14 years.

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Here are the LIVE updates from Diwali celebrations 2018: