People across India and other nations are celebrating Diwali on Saturday, a festival of lights that has been marred this year by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains from across the world celebrate this festival by decorating their homes with lights, lanterns, and at night, pray to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, visit their friends and enjoy the day with family. 

Diwali marks the day Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the Lankan-king Ravana. The day also symbolises the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

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However, the Diwali or Deepawali celebrations will be a lot different and somehow scaled down due to the outbreak of coronavirus, which has affected over 8.7 million people in India and over 52 million globally. 

Many people, who travel to visit their families and friends on this day, would refrain to do so this time due to the scare of coronavirus. 

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Amid the rise in pollution levels in different cities, including the national capital of Delhi, many state governments have banned fireworks that are a major element of celebration in Diwali in several states including Rajasthan, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka. The National Green Tribunal has also ordered a total ban of firecrackers in the national capital till November 30 midnight. 

However, despite several setbacks that have come with the pandemic and pollution, people across the world will be celebrating this Diwali while adopting different ways for it, one being virtual celebrations. Scaled-down celebration with family members is another way.