The owner of an Indian brokerage house offers a puja before the start of Muhurat Trading, a special trading session on the occasion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at a brokerage house in Mumbai on October 30, 2016. During Diwali ledgers and new account books are opened by the mercantile community following a special prayer and worship before the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, to earn their blessings. / AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE — AFP or licensors
Indian street children play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
People decorate their houses with lanterns and lights as they celebrate the annual Hindu festival of Diwali in Mumbai, India, October 30, 2016. REUTERS/Danish Siddiqui
A Pakistani Hindu family offers prayers and light candles as they mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Lahore on October 30, 2016. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. / AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI — AFP or licensors
Indian children play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India,Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 30, 2016. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU — AFP or licensors
A woman from the Hindu community holds earthen oil lamps while taking part in a ceremony to celebrate the Diwali festival at Krishna temple, in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of Hinduism's most important festivals dedicated to the worship of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaduary) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
An Indian girl plays with firecrackers during Diwali festival in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 30, 2016. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU — AFP or licensors
People light firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 30, 2016. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU — AFP or licensors
A man lights firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indians play with firecrackers during Diwali festival in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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, India October 30, 2016. REUTERS/Ajay Verma
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 30, 2016. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU — AFP or licensors
A woman lights firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indian children play with sparklers as they celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, at the roadside in Allahabad on October 30, 2016. Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, marks the homecoming of the God Lord Ram after vanquishing the demon king Ravana and symbolises taking people from darkness to light and the victory of good over evil. / AFP PHOTO / SANJAY KANOJIA — AFP or licensors
An elderly man offers sweets to an image of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali festival in New Delhi, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Tsering Topgyal) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
People play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali, dedicated to the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A woman makes rangoli during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain October 30, 2016. REUTERS/Darren Staples
Indians play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers. (AP Photo/ Rajesh Kumar Singh) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The owner of an Indian brokerage house offers a puja by sprinkling holy water onto ancestral coins before the start of Muhurat Trading, a special trading session on the occasion of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at a brokerage house in Mumbai on October 30, 2016. During Diwali ledgers and new account books are opened by the mercantile community following a special prayer and worship before the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, to earn their blessings. / AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE — AFP or licensors
Indians maneuver their way past firecrackers being burst on a street during Diwali festival in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A Hindu woman lights a firecrackers with her daughter to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Mumbai, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali, dedicated to the goddess of wealth Lakshmi. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
A Pakistani Hindu family offers prayers and light candles as they mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in Lahore on October 30, 2016. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya. / AFP PHOTO / ARIF ALI — AFP or licensors
Indians play with firecrackers during Diwali festival in Hyderabad, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on October 30, 2016. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, to mark the return of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU — AFP or licensors
People hold sky lanterns to release during a campaign against the use of firecrackers during Diwali festival in Kolkata, India, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights. (AP Photo/Bikas Das) — Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Hindu community celebrated its five-day long festival of lights, Diwali, starting Sat??????
Thousands of lamps are lit inside and outside every home and participants exchange gifts and offer prayers. 'Prashad' or sweets are given to all devotees.
Diwali is considered auspicious for shopping, inauguration of new homes, business deals or for beginning new ventures and projects.
Why is it celebrated?
what is the purpose?
when did it start? when will it end?
The owner of an Indian brokerage house offers a puja before the start of Muhurat Trading, a special trading session on the occasion of Diwali. — AFP
The owner of an Indian brokerage house offers a puja by sprinkling holy water onto ancestral coins before the start of Muhurat Trading. — AFP
Indian children play with sparklers as they celebrate Diwali. — AFP
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar — AFP
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple.— AFP
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali.—AFP
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Diwali.—AFP
Indian Sikh devotees lighting candles during Diwali.—AFP
A Pakistani Hindu family offers prayers and light candles as they mark Diwali.—AFP
A Pakistani Hindu family offers prayers and light candles as they mark Diwali.—AFP
A woman makes rangoli during Diwali celebrations in Leicester, Britain.—Reuters
Indian devotees light candles at a Gurdwara, or Sikh temple, during celebrations to mark Bandi Chhorh Divasin Chandigarh.—Reuters
People decorate their houses with lanterns and lights as they celebrate Diwali in Mumbai.—Reuters
A Hindu woman lights a firecrackers with her daughter to celebrate Diwali.—AP
People play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.—AP
Indians play with firecrackers during Diwali festival.—AP
An Indian girl plays with firecrackers during Diwali.—AP
People hold sky lanterns to release during a campaign against the use of firecrackers during Diwali.—AP
Indian children play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.—AP
Indians play with firecrackers during Diwali.—AP
Indians play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.—AP
Indian street children play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.—AP
Indians maneuver their way past firecrackers being burst on a street during Diwali.—AP
An elderly man offers sweets to an image of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali.—AP
A man lights firecrackers to celebrate Diwali.—AP
A woman from the Hindu community holds earthen oil lamps while taking part in a ceremony to celebrate the Diwali.—AP
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