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Photos: Celebration of Diwali in full swing

November 3, 2013 12:45PM ET

Hindus and Sikhs across the world mark the "festival of lights," which celebrates the triumph of good over evil

Topics:
India
Religion, Spirituality & Ethics
International
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Children and aid workers pose with fireworks on the eve of Diwali in Amritsar, India on Nov. 2, 2013.
Children and aid workers pose with fireworks on the eve of Diwali in Amritsar, India on Nov. 2, 2013. Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty
Earthen lamps are lit at the Triveni Sangam at dusk during Diwali celebrations in Allahabad, India on Nov. 3, 2013.
Earthen lamps are lit at the Triveni Sangam at dusk during Diwali celebrations in Allahabad, India on Nov. 3, 2013. Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas or Diwali to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas or Diwali to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty
Indian Border Security Forces light candles at the India-Bangladesh border crossing at Akhaura in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, on the eve of Diwali on Nov. 2, 2013.
Indian Border Security Forces light candles at the India-Bangladesh border crossing at Akhaura in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, on the eve of Diwali on Nov. 2, 2013. Arindam Dey/AFP/Getty
A Hindu youth waves sparklers during Diwali in Karachi, Pakistan on Nov. 3, 2013.
A Hindu youth waves sparklers during Diwali in Karachi, Pakistan on Nov. 3, 2013. Rizwan Tabassum/AFP/Getty
Malaysian Hindus pray to the deity Lord Ganesha during Diwali celebrations in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 2, 2013.
Malaysian Hindus pray to the deity Lord Ganesha during Diwali celebrations in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 2, 2013. Mohd Rasfan/AFP/Getty
A sky lantern floats past family members gathered on a roof on the eve of Diwali in Kolkata on Nov. 2, 2013.
A sky lantern floats past family members gathered on a roof on the eve of Diwali in Kolkata on Nov. 2, 2013. Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP/Getty
An elephant gives a two rupee coin to its caretaker offered by a Hindu follower on the occasion of Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, in Ahmedabad, India on Nov. 1, 2013.
An elephant gives a two rupee coin to its caretaker offered by a Hindu follower on the occasion of Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, in Ahmedabad, India on Nov. 1, 2013. Sam Panthanky/AFP/Getty Images

Millions of Hindus and Sikhs across the world set off deafening fireworks displays Sunday to light up the sky for Diwali, the "Festival of Lights," which celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

People handed out sweets, exchanged greetings with friends and relatives and adorned their homes with glowing lanterns and oil lamps as they celebrated.

Diwali marks the return home of the Hindu god Rama from a 14-year exile after killing the demon Ravana, who had abducted his wife, Sita, according to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana.

For Sikhs, the celebration also marks the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 princes from prison in 1619.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs the world over, from India to the United States.

Al Jazeera and The Associated Press