Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday greeted the nation on the occasion of Diwali. In a Twitter post, the Prime Minister said, “Hearty wishes to the people of India on the auspicious occasion of Diwali.” He also shared a picture with a message reading, “May this auspicious festival brighten your lives with prosperity and good health and may there be happiness all around.”

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, a major Hindu festival celebrated with much fervour across the country. Popularly known as the festival of lights, Diwali is also celebrated by Hindus in Nepal, Malaysia, Mauritius and Pakistan. According to the Hindu holy books, the festival marks the return of Lord Ram from Sri Lanka to Ayodhya after defeating Raavan.

दीपावली के पावन पर्व पर सभी देशवासियों को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं। #HappyDiwali to everyone! pic.twitter.com/pFQe9rYrSg

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 19, 2017

Diwali is part of a five-day-long celebration of festivities for people in India. The celebration begins with Dhanteras on the first day and ends with Bhai Dooj on the fifth. On the third day, that is, Diwali, the entire country lights up with lights, diyas, crackers and happiness.

The festival, which celebrated at the end of cropping season, came to mark the arrival of good harvest which further bring prosperty and happiness to the people. Hence, Diwali also came to celebrated as a harvest festival to commemmorate the advent of wealth and happiness and continues to be so in many rural areas of the country.

Diwali 2017 LIVE updates: 

9.20 am:  Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also wished the nation on the occasion of Diwali, adding a picture message to his tweet, which read, “On the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I pray for good health, joy, and spiritual wellness to everyone. I wish everyone a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May the festival of lights, Diwali, brighten your home with happiness and everlasting prosperity.”

दीपावली के पावन पर्व पर आप सबको हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं l #दिवाली #Diwali #Deepawali pic.twitter.com/X8Jb82sHEM

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) October 19, 2017

9.10 am: The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhra Raje also took to Twitter to wish the people and hoped for peace, prosperity and happiness.

9.00 am: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also greeted the people on the occasion of Kali Pujo and Diwali.

Heartiest greetings to all on the occasion of Kali Pujo and Deepavali pic.twitter.com/zoBhuT1WnH

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 19, 2017

8.50 am: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sent out his Diwali message hoping that the festival of lights brings happiness, peace and prosperity to everyone.

#HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/IKMJJuCQIq

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) October 19, 2017

8.35 am:  US President Donald Trump’s daughter and advisor, Ivanka Trump also tweeted out her wishes to the  people celebrating Diwali across the world. She further said that she looking forward to visiting India for the Global Enterpreneurship Summit, which will be held in Hyderabad between November 28 to November 30, 2017.

Wishing Hindus, Sikhs & Jains around the world a joyful #Diwali. Saal Mubarak to all! Looking forward to my visit to India for #GES2017. pic.twitter.com/O1tmiFzECc

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) October 18, 2017

8.30 am: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath greeted the people and said he hopes that this festival, which marks the victory of light over darkness, may bring happiness to all.

अन्धकार पर प्रकाश की शाश्वत विजय का पर्व ‘दीपावली’ सम्पूर्ण राष्ट्र के लिये मंगलमय हो, यह हमारी शुभकामना हैं। pic.twitter.com/uRO4gflmlq

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) October 19, 2017

8.20 am: BSE and NSE will conduct a special ‘Muhurat’ trading session on Thursday, October 19 to mark Diwali. The Muhurat trading willbe held between 06:30 pm and 7:30, the stock exchanges said. The pre-opening session will start at 06:15 pm.

8.10 am: Home Minister Rajnath Singh also took to twitter to send out his message on this festival of light. Adressing the nation in a video, he requested everyone to light a diya for the soldiers, CAPF and policemen serving the country.

Warm greetings and best wishes to you and your entire family on the auspicious occasion of Deepawali. Wishing you a Shubh & #HappyDiwali

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) October 19, 2017

7.50 am: President Ram Nath Kovind took to Twitter to wish people on Diwali. He appealed to the people to be sensitive to others and also the environment as we celebrate the festival of lights. The President said, “Diwali greetings to all. As we celebrate with our families, let us promote sensitivity to others and to our environment.”

Diwali greetings to all. As we celebrate with our families, let us promote sensitivity to others and to our environment #PresidentKovind

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 19, 2017