In Pictures | Ringing in the festival of lights - Diwali
Here's how India celebrated.
From Amritsar to Kolkata, Ahmedabad to Bhopal, the whole country brought in the festival of lights with much enthusiasm. Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya from his exile after vanquishing demon-king Ravana.
Fireworks illuminated the evening sky, earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people exchanged sweets and gifts on the festive occasion.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated this year's Diwali to the jawans and spent time with the army and ITBP personnel in Himachal Pradesh
Take a look at some pictures from around the country.
(With Agency Inputs)
Indian athletes watch fireworks at the Madan Mohan Malviya stadium on the eve of Diwali in Allahabad. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
An Indian devotee prays on the banks of the river Ganges at sunrise in Haridwar. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
Girls light earthen lamps at Nalini Bala Devi Girls Hostel in Guwahati. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
Several food items are seen in front of the idol of Lord Swaminarayan that are kept as offerings by Hindu devotees as part of a ritual to mark ''Annakut'' festival during Diwali celebrations at a temple in Ahmedabad. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
Vendors sell marigold garlands which are used to decorate temples and homes in Kolkata. (Photo courtesy - Reuters)
Sikh devotees light ''diyas'' as they pay respects on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. 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 held by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. (Photo courtesy - AFP)
Uri attack martyr Nimb Singh's family celebrating Diwali in Beawar, Rajasthan. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
Border Security Force (BSF) personnel light candles to pay tribute to soldiers "Ek Diya Shaheedon ke Naam" on the eve of Diwali festival near Indo-Bangladesh Border in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
Police personnel lighting lamps in a campaign "Ek Diya Shaheedon Ke Naam'' during a program on the eve of Diwali festival in Bhopal. (Photo courtesy - PTI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting the villagers on Diwali at Chango Village of Himachal Pradesh. (Photo courtesy - PTI)