Live

In Pictures

Gallery

Diwali: The festival of lights

Diwali, a national holiday in India, is also celebrated by a number of other countries around the world.

Devotees light masses of twinkling 'diyas', earthenware oil lamps, on the banks of the River Sarayu as part of Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India. Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Ram. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in honour of the return of Ram and his wife Sita to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. [Nadeem Khan/AP Photo]
Devotees light masses of twinkling 'diyas', earthenware oil lamps, on the banks of the River Sarayu as part of Diwali celebrations in Ayodhya, India. Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Ram. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated in honour of the return of Ram and his wife Sita to Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years. [Nadeem Khan/AP Photo]
19 Oct 2017

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the biggest festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world.

People from all walks of life decorate their homes with “diyas”, earthenware oil lamps, and candles.

Also known as Deepavali in India, the five-day festival is celebrated to commemorate the return of Ram, the lord of virtue, to his kingdom after 14 years of exile.

{articleGUID}

For many in India, it also marks the end of the harvest season and is the chance to give thanks to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.

While the story behind Diwali and the manner of celebration varies from region to region, the festival is celebrated to remember that light triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.

Members of an Indian Hindu family light earthen lamps on a rangoli, a hand decorated pattern on the floor, as part of Diwali festivities in Ahmedabad, India. [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]
Members of an Indian Hindu family light earthen lamps on a rangoli, a hand decorated pattern on the floor, as part of Diwali festivities in Ahmedabad, India. [Ajit Solanki/AP Photo]
Advertisement
Indian customers look at decorative items ahead of the Diwali festival at a roadside stall in Amritsar. [Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images]
Indian customers look at decorative items ahead of the Diwali festival at a roadside stall in Amritsar. [Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images]
A devotee lights oil lamps at a religious ceremony during the Diwali festival at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]
A devotee lights oil lamps at a religious ceremony during the Diwali festival at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]
A woman picks marigold flowers used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them to the market for the Tihar festival, also known as Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters]
A woman picks marigold flowers used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them to the market for the Tihar festival, also known as Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal. [Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters]
Nikitha places small 'diyas' at the entrance of her home on the eve of the Diwali festival in Hyderabad, India. [Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images]
Nikitha places small 'diyas' at the entrance of her home on the eve of the Diwali festival in Hyderabad, India. [Noah Seelam/AFP/Getty Images]
An Indian vendor displays sweets for sale for the festival of lights, Diwali, in Allahabad, India. [Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo]
An Indian vendor displays sweets for sale for the festival of lights, Diwali, in Allahabad, India. [Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo]
Advertisement
A man makes earthen lamps which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, at a workshop in Ahmedabad, India. [Amit Dave/Reuters]
A man makes earthen lamps which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, at a workshop in Ahmedabad, India. [Amit Dave/Reuters]
More from Gallery

In Pictures: Panic grips Bangui residents after rebel attack

During a lull in the fighting, people come to collect information and assess the situation. Some fled towards the city centre, but many stayed hidden in their homes during the fighting. [Adrienne Suprenant/Al Jazeera]

In Pictures: Long queues, army patrols as Ugandans cast ballots

Ugandans are voting in a presidential election tainted by widespread violence that some fear could escalate as security forces try to stop supporters of leading opposition challenger Bobi Wine from monitoring polling stations. [Jerome Delay/AP Photo]

In Pictures: National Guard troops arrive before US inauguration

Members of the National Guard gather at the US Capitol as the House of Representatives prepares to begin the voting process on a resolution demanding US Vice President Pence and the cabinet remove President Trump from office, in Washington. [Erin Scott/Reuters]

In Pictures: Orphaned rhinos find refuge in S Africa sanctuary

Rhino calves at the Rhino Orphanage in an undisclosed location in Limpopo province, South Africa. [Michele Spatari/AFP]
Most Read

After Capitol attack, Trump’s approval rating slides in US polls

President Donald Trump's approval rating falls to a new low after his supporters stormed the Capitol [Gerald Herbert/AP Photo]

‘Unprecedented exodus’: Why are migrant workers leaving the UK?

The study's authors said the exodus was primarily being driven by the economic fallout unleashed by the COVID-19 crisis [File: Tolga Akmen/ AFP] (AFP)

Uganda’s Wine claims poll win despite lead for Museveni

Bobi Wine, the 38-year-old former musician-turned politician has emerged as the main challenger to 76-year-old Museveni, who has been in power since 1986 [Abubaker Lubowa/Reuters]

Trump administration carries out 13th, final federal execution

Convicted murderer Dustin Higgs, 48, was pronounced dead at 1:23am local time on Saturday [File: Michael Conroy/AP]