Bengaluru, Nov 13, Nov. 14 -- The festival of lights - Diwali began on a muted note across Karnataka on Friday due to the Covid pandemic playing spoilsport and the state government ban on bursting conventional fire crackers.

"It is for the first time in many years that the most important Hindu festival, celebrated over 3-4 days across the state, began on a subdued note, as the coronavirus since mid-March not only disrupted normal life, but also wreaked havoc with livelihood. Diwali is celebrated in a simple way this time," state Kannada culture department official Muralidhar Rao told IANS here.

Though the festival is religiously celebrated to mark the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh after victory over demon Ravan in Lanka...