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

Communities around the world celebrated Diwali, the festival of lights, with prayers, family gatherings, lamps and fireworks. Observed by more than a billion people across several faiths, it is an important festival in India and is associated with the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.

The article’s photographs show celebrations at London’s Neasden Temple, firecrackers in New Delhi, oil lamps in Srinagar and state-organised Deepotsav festivities in Ayodhya. In Kathmandu, a police dog was honoured during Kukur Tihar, a festival dedicated to dogs that coincides with Diwali. This year, Diwali fell on Sunday, 8 November, following the Hindu lunar calendar.