Diwali in pictures: The most stunning photos of the festival of lights from around the world

People from around the globe celebrated Diwali tonight - the festival of lights celebrated by more than one billion people across faiths. It is the most important festival of the year in India, particularly for Hindus, widely marked by prayers, family gatherings and fireworks. The name Diwali comes from 'Deepavali,' meaning 'a row of lights.' Celebrants place rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar, typically falling in late October or early November. This year, Diwali fell on Sunday, November 8. People all over the world took to the streets and temples to celebrate Diwali, a major religious festival which centres on the theme of the victory of good over evil. While Diwali is a significant religious festival for Hindus, it is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, with its origin stories varying by region. Worshippers celebrate Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also known as Neasden Temple, in London, England Crowds light firecrackers during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in New Delhi, India People light diyas or traditional earthen oil lamps in the commercial hub to celebrate Diwali in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India An Nepal Armed Police working dog looks on after honoured with vermilion and flower garlands during an event marking the Hindu Kukur Tihar festival dedicated to dogs, which coincides with Diwali, at the Armed Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu Fireworks light the sky as lamps are light up the banks of the river Saryu during Deepotsav celebrations, an event organized by the Uttar Pradesh state government in Ayodhya, India A Hindu priest offers prayers during Diwali at the Sri Ponnambalavaneswarar temple in Colombo Fireworks explode in the sky during Diwali celebrations at Neasden Temple on Saturday night The temple in north-west London was lit up as Diwali celebrations were underway Worshippers at Neasden Temple took part in prayers together Other worshippers set up rows of Puja Thali - meaning prayer plate - a metal or tin plate filled with flowers serving ritualistic and sacred purposes In London, worshippers celebrated Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, also known as Neasden Temple, on Saturday. The stunning temple in north-west London is built entirely using traditional methods and materials. It was opened in 1995 and was described as Britain's first authentic Hindu temple. Meanwhile, devotees in New Delhi, India, lit colourful firecrackers into the night sky on Saturday night. In Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India, people lit diyas or traditional earthen oil lamps in the commercial hub to celebrate Diwali. And in Nepal, an armed police working dog looked on after being honoured with vermilion and flower garlands during an event marking the Hindu Kukur Tihar festival dedicated to dogs, which coincides with Diwali, at the Armed Police Dog Training School in Kathmandu. Fireworks lit the sky as lamps were fired up along the banks of the river Saryu during Deepotsav celebrations, an event organized by the Uttar Pradesh state government in Ayodhya, India on Saturday. In southern India, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Naraka, who is said to have imprisoned women and tormented his subjects. In northern India, it honors the triumphant return of Lord Rama, his wife, Sita, and his brother, Lakshmana, after 14 years of exile in the forest. Traditions vary by region but commonly include lights, fireworks, feasting, new clothes and prayers.In southern India, many people take an early morning bath with warm oil to symbolize bathing in the holy River Ganges for physical and spiritual purification. In the north, worship centers on the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.Gambling is a popular tradition, reflecting a belief that those who gamble on Diwali night will prosper throughout the year. Many people buy gold on Dhanteras, the first day of the festival, believing it will bring good luck.Other traditions include setting off firecrackers and exchanging sweets and gifts with friends and family. Celebrations also feature rangoli - geometric and floral patterns drawn on the floor with colorful powders.Jains observe Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, the last of their great teachers, attained nirvana, or liberation from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which overlaps with Diwali, to commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment under the Mughal emperor Jahangir.Some Buddhists mark the day as the anniversary of Emperor Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism in the third century B.C.