Virtual crackers, zero smoke

The crackers

• Phuljhadi. The sparkler. You hold it and wave it around.
• Anar. The flower pot, a fountain of gold sparks.
• Chakri. Spins on the ground and throws sparks in a circle.
• Rocket. Goes up and bursts over the river.
• Sutli bomb. The green one wrapped in string. Very loud, especially down by the water.
• Mirchi bomb. Small, red and quick.
• Ladi. A long string that goes off one after another.

How it works

Open the game and walk through the mohalla. Sixteen boxes of crackers are hidden around the lanes, the chowk and the ghat, behind the peepal tree, under umbrellas, near the temple. Pick them up, choose one from the bar at the bottom and light it with your agarbatti.

The loud ones are hidden further from home, so the start stays gentle. While you're there, light the 108 diyas along the ghat and send a lantern up into the shared sky.

Just want to burst crackers? The fireworks simulator starts you on the ghat with every cracker and no limit.

Why zero smoke?

Diwali air in a lot of cities is already rough, and plenty of homes have pets, babies or grandparents who'd rather skip the bangs. This keeps the fun part: the colours, the sounds, the countdown before a sutli bomb goes off.

Questions

Can I burst Diwali crackers online?

Yes. Virtual Diwali is a free 3D game in your browser with phuljhadi, anar, chakri, rockets, sutli bombs, mirchi bombs and ladis, and none of them make smoke.

Do I need to download an app?

No. It opens in the browser on your phone or computer, with no login and nothing to buy.

Does it work on phones?

Yes, on most Android phones and iPhones. Chrome works best, with the phone held sideways.

Is there sound?

Yes, every cracker has its own sound, and the sutli bomb is properly loud. You can mute it from the top corner.