India celebrates the festival of lights

Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights and one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar.

The annual festival usually falls between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon.

This year, Diwali is celebrated on Thursday, but some parts of the country will hold the festival on Friday.

People light oil lamps and candles on the day to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

In the lead up to Diwali, people clean and organize their homes. New clothes are bought and sweets and gifts are exchanged with friends, family and neighbours.

Many draw traditional designs like rangoli – made with colorful powders – outside their doors to welcome luck and positivity.

On this day, families worship Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.

Lamps are lit and windows and doors are left open to help the goddess find her way into people’s homes.

Fireworks are also a big part of the festivities, but in recent years several state governments have curbed or banned the practice as north Indian states grapple with severe air pollution.

There is a complete ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the capital Delhi during the festival, while states such as Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka have restricted the use of firecrackers to certain times on Diwali night.