Puri/Bhubaneswar: Artist Manas Kumar Saho has created a sand sculpture, promoting eco-friendly Diwali, on Puri sea beach.
He has used 20 tonnes of sand for the 15 feet sculpture in length.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also greeted people on Diwali and Kali Puja through a video message in Odia.
ଦୀପାବଳି ଓ କାଳୀ ପୂଜାର ପବିତ୍ର ଅବସରରେ ସମସ୍ତଙ୍କୁ ମୋର ହାର୍ଦ୍ଦିକ ଶୁଭକାମନା। ଏହି ଆଲୋକର ପର୍ବ ଦୀପାବଳି ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଜୀବନରେ ସୁଖ, ଶାନ୍ତି ଓ ସମୃଦ୍ଧି ଭରିଦେଉ।
Warm greetings on Diwali & Kali puja. May the glow of lamps fill your life with peace, prosperity & happiness pic.twitter.com/H6OKvow0qr
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 7, 2018
The social media had been buzzing with messages on the festival of lights, sweets and crackers. But what caught our eyes was a reply from Prime Minister Narendra to Israel premier Bejamin Netanyahu, where he address him as, Bibi, my friend”.
Bibi, my friend, thank you so much for the Diwali wishes.
Every year, I visit our border areas and surprise our troops. This year too, will spend Diwali with our brave troops. Spending time with them is special.
I will share photos of the same tomorrow evening. 🙂 @netanyahu https://t.co/gnouOA3QGt
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 6, 2018
PM Modi offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine in Kedarnath, on the occasion of Diwali, on Wednesday. He also reviewed the Kedarpuri reconstruction projects.
Kedarnath witnessed the biggest Diwali celebrations ever with over 5,000 diyas lit to decorate the shrine the previous night.
Bollywood actor Akshya Kumar posted a picture of Diwali puja in his office on Twitter.
The mood is festive and happy, post the Diwali puja in the office today. Here’s wishing you all a safe and very #HappyDiwali from us ✨✨✨ pic.twitter.com/tqJcMF60cJ
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) November 7, 2018
Cricketer Gautam Gambhir too had a message for all.
This Diwali let there be light in our consciousness and life…HAPPY DIWALI #HappyDiwali2018 #Diwali2018
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) November 7, 2018