Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Nov 11: Coastal districts have geared up for the Deepavali festival. Naraka Chaturdashi and Amavasye will be celebrated on Sunday. Padya, Anagadi Pooja and Goupooja on Monday. The rural areas have already begun preparations.
Families doing agriculture are preparing to hold pooja for agricultural equipment, paddy fields, Balindra pooja, special pooja for Daivas and offering to elders. As this is the festival of lights, cleanliness, decoration and mud lamps are given more importance.
Lamps made of clay are in high demand. These are sold on the roadside in push carts. The price ranges from Rs three to 10 depending on the design. Crystal lamps are also available. Their price is a bit more compared to mud lamps.
Goodudeepa of various varieties are attracting customers in shops. There are more than 25 designs in Goodudeepa that are made of cloth. The price ranges from Rs 40-400. In plastic Goodudeepa there are more than 150 varieties and the price ranges from Rs 50-500. More than 40 types of paper Goodudeepa are also available in the market and the price ranges from Rs 400-450.
People are thronging to buy mud lamps and goodudeepa from Friday itself. Usually the day before Naraka Chaturdashi buying will be at its peak. Brisk business is expected on the weekend.
In the midst of festivals too, the rate of vegetables and fruits is stable in Mangaluru. However, there is a possibility that the prices may rise in a day or two. Even the flower prices might increase.
Rules are tightened this time around to prevent any mishap. According to the order of the Supreme Court, only green crackers are allowed to be sold. Wholesale and retail shops have already started business.
According to the order of the deputy commissioner, the public are not supposed to burst crackers that produce a sound of more than 125 or 145 decibels. Bursting of crackers is strictly prohibited from 10 pm to 6 am. Crackers should not be burst near hospitals, schools and prayer centers and should be burst on open grounds and not in areas that are densely populated.