Happy Diwali 2017: Stunning photos of Diwali celebrations with Lakshmi puja, firecrackers and diyas

The festival of lights, Diwali, is one of the most celebrated occasions in India. Also known as Deepawali/Deepavali, it is observed across the country in the autumn season, and by Hindus world-wide. This year, Diwali falls on October 18 and 19. Choti Diwali is celebrated the day before the main festival of Diwali. Also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, it is celebrated on the 14th day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November). The festivities start on Dhanteras (October 17) and carry on till Bhai Dooj (October 21). The significance of the festival is the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Here are the pictures of people celebrating Diwali pictures from all across India.

A girl bursts fire crackers on the eve of Diwali to celebrate the festival of lights at Banganga Tank. (Express photo by Janak Rathod)

People perform Lakshmi Poojan at Bombay stock Exchange on Diwali. (Source: Express photo by Dilip Kagda)

People buy stock on Diwali at Bombay Stock Exchange after the puja. (Source: Express photo)

Women play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali in Hyderabad. (Source: AP)

A Pakistani Hindu woman celebrates Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Lahore, Pakistan. (Source: AP)

Pakistani Hindu families decorate their house to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Karachi. (Source: AP)

Women light earthen lamps on a rangoli, a hand decorated pattern on the floor, as part of Diwali festivities in Ahmadabad,on October 19. (Source: AP)

Swaminarayan Akshardham temple illuminated with laser lights as a part of Diwali celebrations in Gandhinagar on October 18. (Source: PTI)

A devotee lights oil lamps at a religious ceremony during the Diwali festival at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Source: Reuters)

A devotee lights oil lamps at a religious ceremony during the Diwali festival at a Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Source: Reuters)

People light lamps as they make a formation of a peace symbol on the eve of Diwali in Chandigarh. (Source: Reuters)

Residents of a Gurugram housing society light lamps in remembrance of martyrs on the eve of Diwali festival on October 18. (Source: PTI)

Dancers perform a traditional Indian dance during Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square, central London, Britain. (Source: Reuters)

A girl plays with firecracker on the eve of Diwali in a slum, Mumbai. (Source: Reuters)

Children burst fire crackers on the eve of Diwali to celebrate the festival of lights at Banganga Tank. (Express photo by Janak Rathod)

A girl lights a fire cracker on the eve of Diwali at Banganga Tank. (Express photo by Janak Rathod)

Children celebrating Diwali at Banganga Tank. (Express photo by Janak Rathod)

Golden Temple in Amritsar lit up on the eve the Diwali. (Source: PTI)

Young Hockey players in Allahabad light up candles and diyas at Madan Mohan Malviya Stadium. (Source: PTI)

Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Gandhingar lit up with laser lights. (Source: PTI)

Dakhineswar Kali temple in Kolkata illuminated ahead of Diwali. (Source: PTI)

Artists in Ayodhya pose as Lord Ram, Sita and Laxman as they arrive in a chopper on the eve of Diwali. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastav)

People of Ayodhya have lit up the city to celebrate the occasion of Diwali. (Express Photo by Vishal Srivastava)

Residents of Kolkata light up the sky with lanterns. (Express Photo by Subham Dutta)

Phoenix Mall in Lower Parel, Mumbai installed a sculpture of an illuminated phoenix bird on the occasion of Diwali. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)

Border security force (BSF) soldiers light candles near the International border fence at Pargwal about 40 kms from Jammu. (Source: PTI)

Priests put the finishing touches to a rangoli, or mural made out of coloured powders, at a temple in Ahmedabad. (Source: Reuters)

A view of wholesale flower market on the eve of Goddess Kali Puja and ahead of Diwali festival, in Kolkata. (Source: PTI)

Firecrackers lit up on the eve of Diwali. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

A lady makes Diwali rangoli at the South Mumbai club. (Express photo by Kevin DSouza)

Diwali celebrations include lighting diyas, eating lots of sweets, doing pujas, wearing new clothes and, for some, even lighting firecrackers. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

The residents of Residents of Ajmera I Land bursting crackers in their locality, Mumbai. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

Fire crackers bursting during the Diwali celebration of residents of Ajmera I Land at Bhakti park, Wadala in Mumbai. (Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)

Rangoli, a popular folk art, is made in homes during auspicious occasions across India. Diwali rangoli being made at South Mumbai club. (Express photo by Kevin DSouza)

Residents of Ajmera I Land celebrating Diwali with fire crackers.(Express photo by Prashant Nadkar)