Diwali celebrations are taking place across India and among its global diaspora, with more than one billion people of different faiths participating. The festival of lights, marked this year on November 8, features prayers, family gatherings, fireworks, and the lighting of clay oil lamps to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
While rooted in Hindu tradition, Diwali is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, each with regional origin stories centered on the victory of good over evil. Celebrations include feasting, new clothes, rangoli floor designs, and the exchange of sweets and gifts with friends and neighbours. The name Diwali comes from "Deepavali", meaning "a row of lights". The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar and typically falls in late October or early November.