Parts of the world lit up with candles, earthen lamps and lanterns to commemorate the festival of lights. Like every year, Diwali (Deepavali) was not just celebrated in India but also in the United Kingdom and other parts. Along the Belgrave Road, breathtakingly beautiful fireworks were on display complete with a fair for people to attend and a beautiful rangoli to look at. Whereas in India, it was mostly an at-home celebration, with friends and family coming over for festive gatherings. However, some did visit temples to offer their prayers on the special day.
Fireworks explode over the Wheel of Light during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain.Reuters
Why is Diwali celebrated? The festival marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya from his 14-year-long exile. Because he arrived on a moonless night, the alleys of the city were lit up using earthen lamps or diyas.
Fireworks explode over the Wheel of Light during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain.Reuters
Fireworks explode over the Wheel of Light during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain.Reuters
People decorate their houses with lanterns and lights as they celebrate the annual Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai.Reuters
Devotees light candles at a Gurdwara, or Sikh temple, during celebrations to mark Bandi Chhorh Divas, which coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Chandigarh.Reuters
A young Hindu priest crawls under a cow during a religious ceremony celebrating the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal.Reuters
A woman picks marigold flowers used to make garlands and offer prayers for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Kathmandu, Nepal.Reuters
Candles are arranged to form a tribute to the Indian army inside a cricket stadium on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights in Allahabad, India.Reuters
A girl lights candles inside a cricket stadium on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India.Reuters
A devotee lights lamps at the Akshardham temple during celebrations on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Gandhinagar, India.Reuters
A Tamil devotee lights oil lamps at a religious ceremony during the Diwali or Deepavali festival at Ponnambalavaneshwaram Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka.Reuters
