Diwali Defiance: India Celebrates FESTIVAL OF LIGHT en Masse

Indians across the country have begun celebrating Diwali despite fears over coronavirus and rising air pollution. Last year a spike in Covid-19 cut short the festivities but huge numbers have turned out in 2021, ignoring govt pleas to avoid large gatherings. Crowds were seen lighting oil candles, and buzzing around markets to buy flowers and lanterns - 900,000 were set free into the sky above the northern city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh state. Spectacular images set the scenes along the Saryu River with thousands of visitors not exactly caring about social distancing. They did keep the Guinness World Record for lamps lit.