The festival of lights is upon us and no one is keeping calm for at least till the coming weekend. The preparations for Diwali or Deepavali, which falls on October 30, Sunday, are on in full swing. Artisans are adding finishing touches to their earthen lamps, firecrackers are being manufactured, packed and dispatched for last-minute sale, and shoppers are strutting roadside markets for lanterns, lights and other things.
A woman colours earthern lamps for sale ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India.Reuters
Diwali is one of the major and widely-observed festivals in India. The reason why it holds such significance in Hindu households is because the celebrations mark Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya after a 14-year-long exile, during which he had fought and defeated devil king Ravan and his minions in a battle. One would ask, why all the light? Lord Ram returned to his city on a moonless night (amavasya), which was why Ayodhya was lit up using rows of diyas (earthen lamps).
Diwali (Deepavali) is also celebrated in the UK, America, parts of Australia and quite a few other countries. The Sydney Opera House will apparently light up in a striking golden hue to commemorate the festival.
A woman paints earthen lamps which are used to decorate temples and homes during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Kolkata.Reuters
Customers stand under lanterns for sale as they look at them at a roadside market ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai.Reuters
A worker fills small paper rolls with gunpowder mixture to make firecrackers at a factory ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.Reuters
A shopkeeper hangs lights for sale, which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Kolkata.Reuters
A potter makes earthen lamps, which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, outside his house in Allahabad.Reuters
Women shop at a roadside stall ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Ahmedabad.Reuters
Workers make firecrackers at a factory ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.Reuters
A worker holds wicks, which are used to make firecrackers, to dry at a factory ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.Reuters
Potters harden earthen lamps, which are used to decorate temples and homes during the Hindu festival of Diwali, on a hearth at a workshop in Guwahati.Reuters
A girl carries dried earthen lamps, which are used to decorate temples and homes during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at a workshop in Chandigarh.Reuters
A worker pours liquid paraffin wax in small iron boxes to give shape to candles, which are used to decorate temples and homes during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at a candle-making factory in Kolkata.Reuters
A worker packs candles, which are used to decorate temples and homes during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at a candle-making factory in Kolkata.Reuters
