Today marks the start of the festival of lights, the markets are bright, the racecourse roads are aglow.

Lakhs of lights will be lit in Saurashtra including Rajkot today Ekadashi, Vaghbaras, Dhanwantari Puja tomorrow, Kali Chaudash on Saturday and Diwali on Sunday Middle class people flocked for shopping, railway station-bus stations, Girdi, instead of traveling, the number of going to village, hometown is more.

Rajkot, : Inflation is developing due to high tax burden and high prices and on the other hand the wealth of the people remains limited, on the other hand there has been a wide increase in epidemics due to pollution and mixed season which challenges have seen Thanganat to celebrate the five-day Prakash festival series starting from tomorrow. Crowds of people are increasing in the markets while Rajkot's majestic race course ring road is decorated like a bride by the Manpa.

In the markets of the city, the poor and the middle class bought festive items such as decorations, lights, clothes, shoes, lamps, small furniture etc. However, people were seen buying thrift instead of keeping their hands free to fight inflation. Business sources said that now the old markets of the city are crowded even at noon. Chikkar Medni was seen in trains and buses going to hometown, village and sightseeing.

To share in the festive spirit of the people, the Manpa started the spectacular lighting on the 2700 meter long race course ring road today. This illumination will continue till the dawn of twenty years. A public fireworks display will be held at the Race Course Cricket Stadium on the evening of Dhanteras on Friday and then on the day of Kali Chaudhas, the entire ring road will be decorated with 1000 beautiful rangolis by the townspeople, in which 11 first place winners and 51 contestants will be given incentive prizes by Manpa.

Ekadashi and Vaghbaras will be celebrated together tomorrow and people will light lamps along with decorating their houses with Rangoli and Roshni from tomorrow. These diwas are lit not for any program or to create any record, but to welcome Lakshmi at home by the people themselves, an estimate of 15 to 20 lakh diwas are lit in Rajkot.

On the day of Dhanteras on Friday, worship programs are held all over the Lord Dhanvantari, the protector of health. Lakshmi Pujan is also performed in many houses on this day. On Saturday, the day of Kali Chaudash, Ghantakarna Mahavir and Lord Hanumanji are traditionally worshiped and the spirit of removing Kusamp, Verzer, Kakalat, Khatpat from the house like garbage is revealed.