Diwali 2011: Best Pictures from the Hindu Festival (PHOTOS)

Diwali - or Deepavali - is an important Hindu festival and is known as the festival of lights. It is famous for the stunning images of colour and celebrated by one billion Hindus in India and around the world. 

The celebration marks a story in the Hindu epic Ramayana. It marks the return of the ancient king of Ayodhya, Rama, along with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman, to his kingdom. The king ended 14 years of exile after a war in which he killed the demon king Ravana.

Indians celebrate the festival by brightening the day and night with colourful garments and glowing lights. They offer prayers to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and light lamps as a way to welcome her into their homes. They visit the homes of their friends and relatives with gifts. They share sweets and burst crackers.

We have collected a series of our favourite pictures from the festival this year.

People light lamps on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh October 25, 2011. Earthen lamps were lit during a public ceremony for world peace, organisers said.

A boy celebrates Diwali festival at a Hindu temple in Karachi. During Diwali celebrations, people decorate their homes and places of worship with lamps or candles and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier lights a candle inside a bunker on the occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali at the India-Bangladesh border on the outskirts of Agartala in northeastern India.

A girls shoots bubbles from a gun during the start of Diwali celebrations in Leicester, central England. Diwali celebrations in Leicester are one of the biggest outside of India, with up to 35,000 people attending the switch on of the lights in the heart of the city's Asian community.

The holy Sikh shrine Golden Temple is illuminated during celebrations to mark the Hindu festival of Diwali, the festival of lights, in the northern Indian city of Amritsar.

A woman lights candles at a Hindu temple during Diwali prayers in Colombo. Prayers and offerings are made to Hindu gods and goddesses on the occasion of Diwali, the annual festival of lights.

Indian women light lamps on eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights

Students put the finishing touches to a rangoli, or a mural made out of coloured powders, at a school ahead of Diwali festival celebrations in Jammu October 24, 2011. Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated across India on October 26.

A man lights candles to prepare for Diwali (2009). Candles are lit to show the triumph of good over evil.

A Hindu priest makes a blessing during the festival of Diwali at Shivm Kovi temple in Colombo October 26, 2011. Prayers and offerings are made to Hindu deities on the occasion of Diwali, the annual festival of lights.

A vendor in Jammu displays hundreds of artificial garlands at his stall. Diwali is as much a celebration of life and of color as it is of life, and flowers are often offered to Hindu gods and goddesses.