Spicy News @ Express Speed.

We take immense pleasure in wishing you all very happy Diwali, the festival of lights.

DIWALI this year could see more light than sound as manufacturers have churned out more of what they call fancy fireworks and aerial shots. The trend has emerged over the last two-three years as people have increasingly moved away from noisy crackers and opted for colorful and bright varieties.

Over the last two years they have added more than 250 varieties and thanks to their Chinese collaborators the range is growing continuously.

This year manufacturers appear to have focused more on `light than sound’. This means parents will have to shell out more for fireworks as fancier items are costlier.

Cost is not a major factor to most because it is once a year purchase; the increase when compared to that of other commodities is not much. More importantly, kids drive sales - a family will buy a particular quantity of fireworks depending on the number of kids, and will pick quantity irrespective of cost.

Business for the dealers continues to increase but the duration of sales has come down. People buy fireworks just days ahead of the festival now. A few years back fireworks purchase was in two batches - one lot for the days before the Diwali and a major purchase for the festival itself.

Manufacturers have cut back on producing noisy varieties mostly because of consumer preference. Standard Fireworks has introduced over 40 new varieties this year

Diwali, also called Deepavali (Hindi: ???, Tamil: ???????) is a major Hindu festival. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The festival of Diwali or Deepavali (literal meaning: lines of lamps) is rooted in the mythological epic Ramayana, and is a celebration of the return of Lord Ram after killing Ravan the Demon during his exile for 14 years. The day of killing Ravan is celebrated as Dussehra (19 to 21 days before Diwali). Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival in many regions of India.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days in the Hindu month of Ashwayuja. It usually occurs in October/November, and is one of the most popular and eagerly awaited festivals of India. Hindus, Jains and Sikhs alike regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen family and social relationships. For Jains it is one of the most important festivals, and beginning of the Jain year. Jains celebrate Diwali because Lord Mahaveera has gone to Moksha. It is also a significant festival for the Sikh faith.