Diwali: The Festival of Lights

Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights

A girl lights an earthen lamp ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, in Ahmadabad, India, Nov. 11, 2012. The Hindu festival of lights, marked by lighting lamps and offering prayers to the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, will be celebrated on Nov. 13.

Ajit Solanki/AP Photo

Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
A girl lights an earthen lamp ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, in Ahmadabad, India, Nov. 11, 2012. The Hindu festival of lights, marked by lighting lamps and offering prayers to the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, will be celebrated on Nov. 13.
Ajit Solanki/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Indian Sikh devotees pay their respects at the illuminated Sikhism's holiest shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar, Nov. 12, 2012, on the eve of Diwali.
Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Shoppers choose electric lights ahead of Diwali in Siliguri, India, Nov. 11, 2012. Electric lights and traditional lamps are in heavy demand for the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali, which falls on Nov. 13 this year.
Diptendu Dutta/AFP/Getty Images
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
An Indian man dressed as a monkey god Hanuman blesses a bystander as he participates in a religious procession in Allahabad, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
An Indian man dressed as a monkey god Hanuman participates in a religious procession ahead of Diwali in Allahabad, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
An Indian member of a band performs during a religious procession ahead of Diwali in Allahabad, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Indian woman shops on eve of Hindu festival of lights Diwali, in Jammu, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Channi Anand/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Indians shop on the eve of Diwali in Kolkata, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Bikas Das/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Indians light candles ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
A firecracker lights up the sky as candles and lamps are seen lit across a field ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Nov. 12, 2012.
Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Widows gather around a tulsi plant and light oil lamps to celebrate Diwali at a rest house run by a devotee in Bhubaneswar, India, Nov. 13, 2012.
Biswaranjan Rout/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
A girl decorates the entrance of her home with earthen lamps and colored powder during Diwali festival in Kolkata, India, Nov. 13, 2012.
Bikas Das/AP Photo
Diwali, The Hindu Festival of Lights
Indian Border Security Force soldiers light candles and crackers as part of Diwali celebrations at the India-Bangladesh border post of Lankamura, about 3 miles from Agartala, India, Nov. 13, 2013.
Sushanta Das/AP Photo