Tiruchirappalli, Nov. 9 -- Diwali, one of the major Hindu festivals, was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the world on Sunday. People marked the occasion by bursting firecrackers, enjoying fireworks and lighting sparklers, largely adhering to government-prescribed time restrictions.

Ahead of the festival, commercial establishments and hundreds of temporary pavement shops witnessed heavy business in several areas surrounding the historic Rockfort in Tiruchirappalli, including NSB Road, Teppakulam, Periyakadai Veethi, Chinnakadai Veethi, Melapulivaar Road and College Road.

With people making large purchases of clothes and other essential items during the final phase of Diwali shopping, particularly at discounted prices, huge quanti...