Diwali, the festival oflights, was celebrated by people of all communities in the city.
The Gujarati street at Mattancherywhere scores of Gujaratis and Rajasthanis have settled for generations wasbustling with festivities.
The ambience of the place was enhancedwith lit diyas lining the verandas and street.
“I have never before seen a festival sojoyous and colourful,” said Catherine, a tourist.
The streets lit with lamps was a treatfor the eyes.
The Krishna temple on Gujarati Street,the hub of all festivities, conducted special Diwali poojas in honour of Lakshmi,the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The price rise of essential commoditieshas not dampened the festival spirit.
“Changes in the economy did not affectthe pomp and show of the celebrations here,” said Rajkumar Gupta, managingdirector of RBG, Mattanchery.
An assortment of sweet shops lined atevery joints made the festival sweeter.
The array of sweets that sweeten yourminds were in high demand this season.
“It has been years, since we settledhere.
But we never budged from the real spiritof Diwali.
In fact we have celebrated the festivalswith renewed vigour , this year,” says Rahul, a Gu j a r a t i residing in Mattanchery.
The streets were decked with millionsof lamps and the cacophony of crackers could be heard.
“It was indeed heart warming to seeeveryone in the spirit of the festival,” Rahul said.