Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, which is one of the most important festivals in the country.
People prayed, enjoyed festive meals and lit fireworks, while sweets were distributed among neighbours and friends as a feeling of joy permeated the air.
Diwali celebrates the triumph of good over evil, where eople light up their homes with small oil lamps called diyas and paper lanterns to signal the victory of light over darkness and joy over sadness. People also decorated outdoor spaces with vibrant rangolis - designs made with colourful powders - to welcome guests and to bring good luck and prosperity into their homes.
The exact dates of the festival change each year and are determined by the position of the Moon, but it typically falls between October and November. This year, Diwali was celebrated yesterday (Sunday 12).
In the days leading up to the festival people bought festive garments, devotional items and gifts for family and friends. People also visited relatives and often took a box of mithai - the Hindi word for sweets - with them.
Many people also lit firecrackers over several days, which, this year, affected the quality of the air. In Delhi - one of the most polluted cities in the world - the air gets particularly bad during the winter months because farmers burn stubble in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana states.
The state government has banned the sale and use of firecrackers this year, but many people flouted this rule for the celebrations.
