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In pictures: Diwali celebrations

Millions around the world are celebrating the five-day festival of light.

Diwali, also know as the festival of lights, is marked with lavish firework displays.
By Showkat Shafi
Published On 3 Nov 2013

New Delhi, India – Diwali is one of the best-known, biggest, brightest – and loudest festivals in the Hindu calendar. Its significance varies depending on local tradition and culture, but it is known everywhere as “the festival of light”.

Family homes are brightly decorated, as friends and relatives gather to exhange gifts, light oil-filled lamps, and set off spectacular firework displays. Markets are packed with people buying sweets and other presents, and the clay lamps, named diyas, are produced by artisan potters by the thousand.

The festival has different meanings for different communities. Hindus celebrate the triumph of good over evil – of light over darkness – marking the return of Ram, the lord of virtue, to his kingdom after 14 years of exile.

Followers of Jainism commemorate Mahavira, a venerated ascetic who fundamentally reformed the faith, reaching a state of nirvana following his death.

Sikhs, meanwhile, use Diwali to mark the anniversary of the release from prison of Guru Hargobind in 1619.

Throughout India, and in Indian communities around the world, friends and family come together to mark the occasion and welcome the goddess Lakshmi, said to bring good luck and prosperity.

A roadside vendor in Delhi sells clay lamps, known as diyas, of various colours, shapes and sizes.
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The work of the potters who make diyas is in high demand during the days ahead of Diwali.
An artisan decorates an earthen lamp. Hindus fill the lamps with oil, and light them during Diwali to signify the victory of good over evil.
Lakshmi, the god of prosperity, is particularly venerated during this festival, along with Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and Parvati.
As with many other festivals across India (and the wider world), flowers such as Marigolds have their own importance in the celebrations.
Indian markets are packed with shoppers buying decorations in preparation for the five-day festival.
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Sweets and confectionary are among the main gifts exchanged between family and friends during Diwali.
Known as the festival of light, families light candles together and decorate their homes.
The fireworks celebrate the idea of one(***)s "inner light", as well as the anniversary of the return of Ram, the lord of virtue, after 14 years in exile.
The rangoli is a colourful pattern made from dyed powders and flowers to welcome the goddess Lakshmi into a home. Here, the footprints in the design represent those of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, who is thought to be entering the family home on this auspicious night.
Other popular Diwali decorations include the careful arrangement of oil-burning lamps around the home.