Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, began on Monday, October 24. The five-day celebration is one of the most important festivals in Hinduism.

The holiday also has significance for Sikhs and Jains, and it is celebrated in countries with South Asian diasporas.

Homes are decorated with lanterns and lights in Mumbai, India, on Monday.
Homes are decorated with lanterns and lights in Mumbai, India, on Monday.
Rafiq Maqbool/AP
People in Kolkata, India, buy LED lights to decorate their homes for Diwali on Monday.
People in Kolkata, India, buy LED lights to decorate their homes for Diwali on Monday.
Avishek Das/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP
People light fireworks Monday in Ghaziabad, India.
People light fireworks Monday in Ghaziabad, India.
Pradeep Gaur/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/AP
People release handmade lanterns in Kolkata.
People release handmade lanterns in Kolkata.
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A dancer performs during a White House event celebrating Diwali in Washington, DC, on Monday.
A dancer performs during a White House event celebrating Diwali in Washington, DC, on Monday.
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A woman prays at the Veda Mandir Hindu temple in Bolton, England.
A woman prays at the Veda Mandir Hindu temple in Bolton, England.
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People buy home decorations in Kolkata.
People buy home decorations in Kolkata.
Bikas Das/AP
A Hindu devotee holds a flower-shaped candle called a diya at a temple in Toronto on Monday.
A Hindu devotee holds a flower-shaped candle called a diya at a temple in Toronto on Monday.
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Devotees offer prayers at a temple in Colombo.
Devotees offer prayers at a temple in Colombo.
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Hindus gather at the Batu Caves to perform a morning prayer ceremony and celebrate the first day of Diwali in Selangor, Malaysia.
Hindus gather at the Batu Caves to perform a morning prayer ceremony and celebrate the first day of Diwali in Selangor, Malaysia.
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People prepare marigold garlands for Diwali at a flower market in New Delhi.
People prepare marigold garlands for Diwali at a flower market in New Delhi.
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Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House is illuminated gold to mark the start of Diwali.
Australia's iconic Sydney Opera House is illuminated gold to mark the start of Diwali.
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