Crackling Diwali: A firecracker lights up the sky as candles and lamps are seen lit across a field during Diwali in Allahabad.

Diwali knows no bounderies: Muslim students light earthen lamps to mark Diwali, the festival of lights, at a school in Ahmadabad.

Children of light: Children light candles during Diwali, the festival of lights, in Allahabad.

Made in China: An Indian vendor displays Chinese-made decorative lights at a shop in Kolkata. Local markets have been flooded with cheap Chinese electric lights, replacing indigenously manufactured earthen oil lamps ahead of Diwali.

Diwali across LoC: Indian Border Security Force (BSF) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sanjeev Bhanot (R) along with BSF Commandant Sumer Singh (L) present boxes of sweets to Pakistani Rangers Major Shah Nawaz (C) on the occasion of Diwali festival at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border on November 5, 2010. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated as Hindus decorate their homes with flowers and diyas (earthen lamps) to mark the homecoming of Hindu god Ram after he vanquished the demon king Ravana and to honour wealth goddess Lakshmi.

Diwali for all: A special needs child plays with sparklers during a pre-Diwali celebration at a school in Amritsar.

Shoppers’ stop: A policeman stands guard in a market place ahead of Diwali in Jammu.

Diwali paraphernalia: Children light firecrackers as lanterns are displayed for sale ahead of Diwali in Mumbai.

Firecracking: People light firecrackers during Diwali, the festival of lights, in Allahabad.

Prayer for a ‘bright future’: People offer prayers in front of account books as a ritual performed on Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ahmadabad.

Brush with Lakshmi: An Indian artist gives finishing touches to an idol of Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi ahead of Diwali in Allahabad. On Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, Hindus light lamps to signify the victory of good over evil. New clothes are worn, gifts, traditionally of sweets, are given and prayers are offered to goddess Lakshmi.

Readying for Diwali: An Indian labourer works at a firecracker factory on the outskirts of Siliguri. Firecrakers are used as a part of celebrations for the Diwali festival. Kali worship takes place in the eastern Indian states.

Final touches: A worker paints earthenware oil pots or ‘diyas’ at a road side stall in New Delhi.