Hindus mark victory of good over evil
With spectacular fireworks displays, millions of Hindus across India and the world celebrated on Sunday the most important holiday of the year. The festival of lights or Diwali marks the victory of righteousness.
Good over evil
The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates the return of the Hindu god Rama from a 14-year exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana, who had abducted his wife, Sita, according to Hindu mythology.
Spectacular fireworks
For Hindu devotees, Diwali is one of the most important festivals of the year and it is marked by bursting crackers throughout the night, decorating houses with colorful lights and performing traditional rituals such as offering prayers.
Expressing gratitude
In many regions of India, Diwali also marks the end of the harvest season and farmers use the occasion to express their gratitude towards the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. People also offer prayers to the Hindu god Ganesh. Every year, on the eve of Diwali, families gather for the spectacular fireworks displays held all over the country.
Row of lights
The festival begins with the lighting of candles and oil lamps, called "diyas." Diwali is a contraction of the word "Deepavali", which means row of lights in Sanskrit. Streets and houses are decorated with colorful lights and people typically buy gold, including jewelry, coins and small statues of the elephant-headed Ganesh ahead of the festivities.
Pollution concerns
Mindful of pollution, authorities made attempts this year to cut down on the number of deafening firecrackers, and some schools sent notices urging parents to restrain from buying fireworks.
Celebrated across the world
Diwali is celebrated not only in India, where more than 80 percent of the people identify themselves as Hindus, but also in other countries with large Hindu populations such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Malaysia and Singapore.