Millions of people were celebrating one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu lunar calendar – Diwali.

Around the world this week, millions of people were celebrating one of the biggest festivals in the Hindu lunar calendar – Diwali.

Diwali or Deepavali is a five-day festival that usually falls between October and November and celebrates the victory of light over darkness. The five-day celebrations begin with Dhanteras on the first day and are concluded with Bhai Dooj. Diwali (or Deepavali in some places) is observed on the third day of the festival – in 2022, this is Monday, October 24.

Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali stretches back thousands of years and is linked to different myths or religious texts. These stories often revolve around good winning over evil, such as King Rama rescuing his wife Sita from an evil king and returning home, where they are welcomed by millions of lights lit by their subjects.

During Diwali, families come together to share food and people light lamps to banish the darkness. In more modern times, these lights are replaced with huge, city-wide fireworks displays. Gifts are exchanged, food is shared and pooja (prayers) are offered to deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of fertility and prosperity.