Diwali 2009

October 17th marked the celebration of Diwali among Hindus and other groups around the world. Diwali is also known as the "Festival of Lights" (the name translates as "row of lamps" in Sanskrit). The festival marks the homecoming of Hindu God Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest following his victory over Ravana, and signifies the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. Celebrants observe Diwali with fireworks, colorful lanterns, lamps, garlands, sweet treats and worship. Collected here are a handful of photographs of Diwali this year. (33 photos total)

Schoolgirl Bhargavi, 7, arranges garlands made from marigold flowers at a roadside stall on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad October 16, 2009. Flowers are offered to Hindu gods and goddesses on the occasion of Diwali, the annual festival of lights that was celebrated across the country on Saturday, October 17th. (REUTERS/Krishnendu Halder)

A worker's hands are covered with gunpowder as she fills cardboard cylinders at a firecracker factory on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Siliguri October 9, 2009. Firecrackers are in great demand ahead of Diwali. (REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri) #

An Indian potter makes earthen lamps for the Diwali festival, in Allahabad, India, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2009. People buy the earthen lamps to decorate their homes during celebrations of Diwali. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh) #

A potter makes clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India on October 9, 2009. (REUTERS/Arko Datta) #

An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop before Diwali in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata October 6, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

Volunteers work inside a candle and lamp making workshop at a blind school ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi, India on October 8, 2009. (REUTERS/Parth Sanyal) #

A rickshaw puller passes in front of unfinished idols of Hindu goddess Kali outside a workshop in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata October 14th, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

An artisan applies finishing touches to an idol of Hindu Goddess Kali at a workshop in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata on October 12th, 2009. Idols of the Hindu goddess of power Kali are worshipped during the annual Hindu festival of lights, Diwali. (REUTERS/Jayanta Shaw) #

A girl carrying a child walks past clay sculptures kept on display at a roadside shop ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi, India on October 16th, 2009. (REUTERS/Parth Sanyal) #

A woman colors clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India on October 15th, 2009. (REUTERS/Arko Datta) #

A boy arranges handmade lamp shades at a shop before the Diwali festival in Hyderabad, India on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A) #

A policeman stands guard as thousands throng a market on the last Sunday ahead of Diwali, in Ahmadabad, India on October 11th, 2009. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) #

A child sits near idols of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad, India, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) #

A Malaysian of Hindu faith, Thevamalar Nadarajah, 12, recites a prayer during Diwali celebrations at a temple in Kuala Lumpur October 17, 2009. The Hindu community, which consists of 7 percent or 1.82 million out of Malaysia's 26 million population, on Saturday celebrated Diwali. Hindus decorate their homes and places of worship with lamps or candles during Diwali (locally known as Deepavali) which literally means "rows of lights". (REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad) #

Fireworks light up the sky in celebration of Diwali in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct.17, 2009. Diwali was celebrated across India on Saturday with prayers and fireworks. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) #

Children watch fireworks during the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi, India on October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause) #

Children wave sparklers at night, during Diwali in New Delhi, India on October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause) #

Hindu worshippers pray during the festival of Diwali at Shivm Kovi temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds) #

U.S. President Barack Obama lights a traditional oil lamp as Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, Hindu Priest from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland, chants in observance of Diwali, in the East Room at the White House October 14, 2009 in Washington, DC. Obama signed an executive order restoring the White House Advisory Commission and Interagency Working Group, which addresses issues concerning the Asian American and Pacific Islander community during the ceremony. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) #

Jagdish Capoor, non executive chairman of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) makes an offering to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth) prior to a special holiday trading session on the occasion of Diwali, inside the BSE in Mumbai, India, on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Brokers and investors at the BSE made token stock purchases during a one-hour trading session on Diwali. (Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg) #

In this long-exposure photograph, two girls spin sparklers in the air on October 15th, 2009, ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ahmadabad, India. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki) #

Onlookers stand beside lit earthen lamps during celebrations on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in the northern Indian city of Chandigarh October 16, 2009. (REUTERS/Ajay Verma) #

A devotee lights a lamp at Akshardham temple during celebrations to mark the annual Hindu festival of Diwali at Gandhinagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Amit Dave) #

Children decorate their front yard with lamps as they celebrate Diwali at the Sanatan Dharm Children's Home in Paramaribo, Suriname on October 17, 2009. Hindus decorate their homes and places of worship with lamps or candles during Diwali which was celebrated on Saturday by 20 percent of Suriname's population that are of Indian origin. (REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh (SURINAME SOCIETY RELIGION) #

A priest watches worshippers during the festival of Diwali at Shivm Kovi temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka on October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Andrew Caballero-Reynolds) #

A girl lights an earthen lamp during celebrations on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in the eastern Indian city of Siliguri October 16, 2009. (REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri) #

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, capital of India's northeastern state of Tripura October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Jayanta Dey) #

A boy lights fireworks on the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Reinhard Krause) #

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers light candles to celebrate Diwali, at the India-Bangladesh border on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Siliguri October 17, 2009. (REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri) #

People set off fireworks outside their home in celebration of Diwali in Bangalore, India, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) #

A woman prepares earthen lamps to be put in and around her house, during Diwali, the festival of lights, in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Oct.17, 2009. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup) #

A boy dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna participates in the annual procession on the eve of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, in Paramaribo, Suriname on October 16, 2009. (REUTERS/Ranu Abhelakh) #

A woman lights an earthen lamp during the celebrations on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad October 16, 2009. (REUTERS/Amit Dave) #

More links and information

Diwali - Wikipedia entry

Diwali: from south India to Sheffield - Guardian.co.uk, 10/17/09

Diwali 2009 - More photos on Flickr.com

< Back to front page

Wonderful! Captures the ambiance of what Diwali looks like! Thank you!

Posted by Ash October 25, 09 12:45 AM

Awesome pictures...!

Posted by HANSA MAGAR October 25, 09 03:30 AM

Fantastic pictures. Really touching to see how the festival is celebrated all over India and in Sri Lanka

T.H Iyer

Posted by iyer October 25, 09 06:02 AM

Looking at the pictures.....its really amazing to see the true love and service towards making this festival a grand celebration every year ! Yet many remain to constantly criticize others in the name of faith. Food by itself has no religion, true love has no religion, service to humanity has no religion. True faith is when all religions overlap with each other in harmony, respecting the beleifs of each other. Diwali celebrations should become more environment friendly. Every Hindu should make all efforts to spread light not sound, illuminance not smoke ! I am a Hindu living in Raleigh NC

Posted by Rajesh Vallabhaneni October 25, 09 08:33 AM

I liked the photos at no. 21 and 22 as they are suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuperb because they are snapped in very low light conditions.
extreamly great work done. Hats-off!

Posted by Vilas October 25, 09 09:21 AM

Awesome feelings to see the festival celebration of world's oldest religion.

Kudos Boston Globe!

Posted by Ronni October 25, 09 09:27 AM

Such wonderful pictures. They are a sight for sore eyes. Light is for life.
I am a muslim, I didn't understand what the fuss was about. Religions are irrelevant. We are searching for the spritual light, And that is exactly what I see in these amazing photographs.

Salutations to everybody from this beautiful Turkish lady.
May you all be guided by the light.

Ay�eg�l

Posted by Aysegul Insel October 25, 09 10:17 AM

Beautiful !!!

I was expecting a Diwali feature. Thanks for putting it up.

Posted by Amit October 25, 09 11:38 AM

Beautiful!!!
Wonderful photography, bring all the colors, lights, moods and fun of diwali with this album.

Posted by Harsh Verma October 25, 09 04:18 PM

Even as a person who holds no belief in any form of divinity, these pictures are powerful and moving. I come back to your site every few weeks just to view this section, and just as during Ramadan, you have done a truly splendid job capturing a tiny glimpse of the human soul.

Truly, truly beautiful. Thank you sincerely for sharing.

Posted by Doug October 25, 09 07:16 PM

great pics. wonderful photography

Posted by Anonymous October 25, 09 11:53 PM

Was waiting to see the pics here and you guys put up the best pics! Thanks :)

Posted by V October 26, 09 12:00 AM

Which camera was used to take these pictures??? really want to know.... and yeah great pictures!

Posted by Anupam Yadav October 26, 09 01:34 AM

amazing pictures...

Posted by Marshal October 26, 09 02:19 AM

Amazing Pictures, thanks for sharing :)

Posted by Akash Agrawal October 26, 09 02:46 AM

#107: Suriname is NOT part of Venezuela! It's a former Dutch colony on the northern coast of South America, between the nations of Guyana and French Guiana.

Posted by Matt October 26, 09 03:03 AM

tr�s tr�s jolie bravo !

Posted by Anonymous October 26, 09 04:32 AM

Thanks earthmen... Martians...

Posted by michael October 26, 09 05:46 AM

@SN (comment 61) "Which book of God be it the Bible, the Quran or the Geeta says that X religion is better than Y?"

Unfortunatley - just about all of them.

Posted by ps October 26, 09 05:55 AM

wow.... it's too good :)

Posted by NIMESH BHATT October 26, 09 08:12 AM

Magnifiques photos pour la c�l�bration du Diwali.
Vraiment super.

Posted by Librot October 26, 09 08:13 AM

#37 - Perhaps this would amaze you but I watch Fox News, teach world religions, was aware that #14 is probably a poke at the less informed, and found your comment to be as narrow and generalized as those you would seek to criticize. My apologies to everyone else - this was an enlightening piece of photojournalism which should have been enjoyed and not have become a forum for the belligerent.

Posted by ROB October 26, 09 09:13 AM

Remind me my childhood days and family in India.Thanks for super collections.

Posted by Kavita October 26, 09 09:30 AM

Wow. Beautiful pictures. That flower-shaped earthen pot is just gorgeous.

Posted by kd9280 October 26, 09 09:42 AM

Wow, some wacky liberals again posting. Lighten up, loonies! Turn off the CNN/MSPMS/PBS and get a real education.

Posted by Jeremy Nottingham October 26, 09 10:02 AM

Very Nice pics. You feel like you are celebrating Diwali just by looking at the pics.
It is really nice to see these pics in US, as it reminds us old good days of Diwali back home.

Thanks,
Ashish

Posted by Ashish Shah October 26, 09 10:41 AM

There is no god, or gods!

Posted by non-believer October 26, 09 11:43 AM

Beautiful photos! Thank you so much!

Posted by Christina Almond October 26, 09 12:18 PM

wonderful pictures.
i wonder why few people slips their mouth without proper knowledge about what they are talking.
Religion is a way of life.its a set of rules and regulations and by following a religion, an Individual promises to respect those rules and regulations in order to have better life. thats it. worshiping idols, not eating cows is just their business. do not comment about it if u dont know what do they that.

hope the light of diwali bring brightness in those peoples dark minds. good luck.

Posted by Pavan October 26, 09 01:07 PM

Veda talks about a great sage named Mamaha that mean honoured or famed Muhammad.It mentions a mysterious set of numbers are associated with objects that the sage would possess. These are; 100 gold coins 10 garlands, 300 horses and 10,000 cows. They can be approximate references respectively to the first batch of Mekkan emigrants to Abyssinia; 10 companions who were designated by Prophet as sure entrants to paradise; 313 companions of Battle of Badr and 10,000 companions at the invasion on Makkah.
One couplet in Bhavishya Puran enumerates the main identification points of Mahaamad�s followers; They will be circumcised (unknown in India); cut hair of their heads short (as against the Indian practice of long uncut hair knotted into a bun), keep beards call out at top voice (for prayers - Azan) and will be omnivorous (i.e. eat vegetarian as well as meat). The class of Hindu religious masters are strict vegetarians). They will be known as Musalay!
From Kalki Puran,his parents will be Vishnu Bhagat and Soomati meaning servant of God (the Cherisher) and peace. (Messenger�s father�s name was Abdullah, God�s servant and mother was Amina refuge giver which includes the idea of �peace�.)
so if you are true Hindus,you should follow your scriptures

Posted by he is in your scriptures October 26, 09 01:29 PM

Let me start with acknowledging that I'm a big fan of The Big Picture. I'm really happy I can find here some truly extraordinary photographs.

However I think there are posts with photographs which do not keep up with such a high standard. I understand it's about a personal preference but for example I think following pictures shouldn't make it to The Big Picture: 7, 12, 15, 19, 31. They are not bad but they cannot offer as much as the rest.

I'm not trying to be negative but I'd like to express my opinion that The Big Picture should be *exclusively* about quality not quantity.

In overall "Diwali 2009" is above average post but it still can have better focus on quality. But please don't get me wrong - I love The Big Picture! And I only wanted to stress out what in my opinion makes this web superior.

Posted by Martin (Europe) October 26, 09 02:41 PM

Wonderful pictures, I like seeing happiness!

Posted by Joris October 26, 09 04:29 PM

The pictures are very awesome!!!

Please keep it up Diwali spirit!

Posted by Atul October 26, 09 04:31 PM

Hello Mr BigPicture

I have been enjoying this blog on a daily basis for a year or so and I have a generic, maybe naive and yet fundamental question: how do you decide in which order to show the pics?

best regards, and keep up the excellent work,

Posted by Sylvain R. October 26, 09 07:03 PM

@Martin: although I don't fully agree with your selction of pictures "not offering as much as the others", I do agree that TBP should focus more on picking only truly outstanding shots. Ten extraordinary photographs are more powerful than the same ten photographs along with ten merely good ones.

Anyway, keep up the good work,

Posted by Sylvain R. October 26, 09 07:21 PM

SEEING GLOBAL DIWALI CELEBRATION IS VERY HEART WARMING. SPECIALLY THE WHITE HOUSE DIWALI PRAYERS. BEAUTIFUL PICTURES FROM ALL WAKS OF LIFE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING

Posted by DAMINI BHATT October 26, 09 08:42 PM

Awesome pictures. Thank you for posting. Brings back sweet childhood memories from back home....

Posted by Sunil October 26, 09 09:58 PM

To all those who see the light and rejoice in it, I thank you.

To everyone else, I hope someday your eyes truly open.

Thanks for the images. ;)

Posted by DMc October 27, 09 12:46 AM

loved all of them.....meaningful photography always excites me....

Posted by Avisek Mullick October 27, 09 01:43 AM

I love the photos of the working hands. Those are the ones that stand out the most to me.

Posted by Carlos October 27, 09 03:34 AM

hat's off to the person who had done this collection...

Very good see temple in colombo and various photos regarding diwali celebrations...

Posted by pavan October 27, 09 04:19 AM

first time not happy , with these photos as they are not up to the standards which they maintain ,
i am a Indian we know this festival very well and it is the biggest festival in India , its a festival of lights ,happiness ,sweets , colors, fireworks these photos some how doesn't expressed the festival to the fullest.

sorry to say ,m disappointed this time ...

Posted by Mangesh October 27, 09 08:02 AM

DIWALI SHOULD BE DECLARED NATIONAL HOLIDAY FOR U.S.A. AS THERE ARE MORE THAN 40% INDIANS IN AMERICA AND PRESIDENTBARREC OBAMA ALSO BELIVES IN HINDUISM

Posted by BHARAT A. ZAVERI October 27, 09 10:27 AM

Nice

Posted by Anonymous October 27, 09 04:13 PM

Dear christians posting here, you can't compare your primitive religion to ours.

SHIVA IS LOVE AND HATE, SHIVA IS NOT GOOD AND SHIVA IS NOT BAD. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS WAY MORE COMPLICATED THAN MOTHER MARY?

also, shiva is not the only deity there is in hinduism. NO DEITY IS BAD AND NO DEITY IS GOOD IN HINDUISM. THERE ARE NO GOOD "GODS" OR BAD "GODS" in HINDUISM, THAT CONCEPT DOES ONLY EXIST IN ABRAHAMISTIC RELIGIONS AND IS SIMPLY STUPID.

STOP PROSELYTIZING. HINDUISM IS NOT LIKE CHRISTIANITY. ITS NOT LIKE ISLAM. YOU CAN NOT CONVERT TO HINDUISM. YOU ARE BORN A HINDU.

Posted by ahindu October 27, 09 07:33 PM

Hi ichard, nice collection of photos you have.
good work keep it up.
best wishes always.

Posted by CK October 27, 09 09:20 PM

Awesome pics, and nice explanations .

Still amazed why everybody taken every other chance to criticize any other religion.
Just live in the spirit of goodness :)

Posted by Utkarsh October 28, 09 12:36 AM

wow.......... never saw diali in such beauty...........

Posted by vinita October 28, 09 02:37 AM

Awesome & Great Pics!!! Thank you so much for sharing!! :)

Posted by Purvi October 28, 09 08:53 AM

To the Diwali haters: You suck! Go learn some understanding and tolerance.
To Big Picture: Great pics as always. Thank you.

Posted by Vimesh October 28, 09 10:16 AM

Beautiful photos of a beautiful celebration. Much respect.

But I must supply a quote for photo #25:

"You have a problem with my man-breasts?"

;-)

Posted by Jon October 28, 09 10:31 AM

#87 we are only doomed because of people like you. now go get a life.

i hate people like nancy grace.

Posted by Lillith Crowley October 28, 09 10:37 AM

india is a great country,even though it is predominantly Hindu,it tolerates other religions,allows their followers to practise and preach their faiths and lets us all live together peacefully,we have a rich traditon and a strong heritage which should make us proud,we are taught good morals like respecting our elders,being decent in public and private life and to love the rich and the poor,i am proud to be an indian,however nowadays we see somany youth taken away from their heritage and trying to adopt foreign cultures,we should go back to our culture and learn the great things from it,it is okay to adopt foreign cultures as long as they are good,learn to separate the good from the evil.

Posted by proud to be an indian October 28, 09 10:41 AM

#131 i agree with you. completely. sadly every relgion attacks another. its cruel and ignorant but it occures.

#14 he is half AFRICAN and half WHITE. the makes him AFRICAN AMERICAN. not black. and his FATHER is muslim. but he is not. i may not like him but i certainly dont condone bigotry and hate. spreading ignorance is wrong.

Posted by Lillith Crowley October 28, 09 10:44 AM

#157 YAY!! i love your comment!! it is so true. i do not worship but i love the Hindu faith. the fact that there is no good or bad god is truely magnificent. aberhamistic relgions are ok but i do not condone blindly pointing fingers at people who have nothing to do with is wrong. (christian americans hating the innoscencent muslims NOT ALL MUSLIMS ARE TERRORISTS!!!)

Posted by Lillith Crowley October 28, 09 10:51 AM

excellent pictures...Thanks

Posted by mantha Manga October 28, 09 10:53 AM

Beautiful pictures!! They truly reflect the Diwali spirit.
Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Shetty October 28, 09 04:03 PM

HAPPY DIWALI,
What a spectacular illumination.The oil lamps makes our heart glow.The celebration is not only in India but all over the world.Its was even celebrated at the White house.Its amazingly wonderful May this memorable diwali celebration bring peace and harmony to the world.

NAMESTHE.
SARAH

Posted by Sarah Murthy October 28, 09 06:01 PM

Happy Diwali! Boston.com is great!

Posted by Kaushal Patel October 28, 09 06:05 PM

Awesome Pics

Posted by Shruthi October 28, 09 11:29 PM

nice

Posted by HinduOnline.blogspot.com October 29, 09 03:11 AM

Awesome pics...

Posted by Manoranjan Reddy October 29, 09 06:30 AM

Great shots! Thank you!

Posted by Volen Evtimov October 29, 09 09:27 AM

Awesome Pictures. I am never seen such beautiful picture. This festival is not about religion but is of Joy and lights

May the Light of diwali spread accross the world

Kudos

Posted by P.Shankar October 29, 09 03:01 PM

great collection of beautiful pictures! wonderful!

Posted by vrisha October 30, 09 05:03 AM

super*

Posted by Anonymous October 30, 09 05:28 AM

India rocks..God bless India !

Posted by Sudheer Narayan October 30, 09 05:54 AM

Awesome.
My contribution to the images

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hitchedhiker/sets/72157622631059850/

Posted by Abhilash October 30, 09 06:29 AM

UnImaginable collection. I never imagined that, Diwali can be so beautiful. Lacs of people around the world, caught in lens in such a beautiful way, celebrating Diwali. Its amazing.

Posted by Deep October 30, 09 03:23 PM

Beautiful pictures, thanks for sharing :)

Posted by SJ October 31, 09 12:52 PM

Wonderful pictures and so encouraging, seeing president Obama partaking in such a deep and profound ceremony in the White House of all places.

Posted by Chris Flatman November 1, 09 02:37 PM

The Light of India - beautiful pictures of beautiful people enjoying life the best way they know how. Diwali - signifies the personal victory over egotism, lust, anger, greed, hatred, and jealousy. It's the traditional anniversary of the legendary Sri Ram's return to his kingdom after killing the lustful demon, Raavana, and fourteen years of exile incurred by a favour returned to a jealous step-mother, which he undertook willingly, with joy in his heart, to exemplify the need to live up to one's word and to demonstrate that all we need to be successful in life is the love in our hearts, nature has provided all we need and attachment to material things and desires destroys our higher nature.

Posted by Clive Bates November 1, 09 08:11 PM

Thanks for the pictures. Here is a Diwali Prayer for ALL humans.

OM ASATO MA SAD GAMAYA
TAMASO MA JYOTIR GAMAYA
MRUTYOR MA AMRUTAM GAMAYA

transalation

O LORD, LEAD ME FROM UNREAL TO REAL
LEAD FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT,
LEAD FROM DEATH TO IMMORTALITY

Posted by Rakesh Patel November 2, 09 09:05 AM

now that is a meaningful prayer,i didn't know Hindus had such a great prayer,let us all then find the light that God has given us and fill our lives with it.

Posted by a Muslim November 2, 09 11:32 AM

omg that was the shiznit

Posted by me November 2, 09 12:33 PM

Really awesome pictures !!!

Posted by manu November 3, 09 06:17 AM

Awesome!!

Posted by Shashwat November 3, 09 06:19 AM

Pics 27 & 29 means a lot....
How we enjoy at the cost of the lives of our jawans, yet dont care to think much about them..

Pic 4 & 10 are real beauties..

Posted by Shiji Santhakumar November 3, 09 06:59 AM

Great pics... but I don't understand some of the comments and religion-bashing.

Every religion - Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, etc - teaches us to be able to distinguish what is right and what is wrong, and do good and not evil. It always celebrates the victory of light over darkness, truth over lies, good over evil.

Posted by stepperider November 3, 09 09:14 AM

Amazing pictures...

Posted by Ajeesh Nair November 3, 09 09:38 AM

Felt like I am there in my own country enjoying these moments. Loved all of the pictures. good work. Makes you feel at home while you go through all one by one. I like and remember my days when my own father was at BSF broader and we did the same to celebrate Deepawali.

Posted by Aruna Sharma November 3, 09 03:01 PM

Amazing pictures...

Posted by Bala Ganesh November 4, 09 05:40 AM

Wow, the girl in #14 is GORGEOUS.

Posted by CB November 4, 09 10:28 AM

Awesome Pics

Posted by PK November 4, 09 02:18 PM

#191
it so happens that the fight has always been between Hindus,who are the majority in india and the Muslims,who are the biggest minority.i just wanted to ease that tension between them and create a peaceful atmosphere.after all,we are all brothers and we all have the same God.

Posted by let us not fight over religion November 6, 09 05:21 AM

nice images

Posted by Priyam November 6, 09 05:25 AM

really beautiful pictures ,go on inspiring the world

Posted by pradeep dixit November 7, 09 11:40 AM

Being away from India and having missed Divali for a few years, these pictures really brought back some good memories of Indian Divali. Thanks you, great pictures.

Posted by Prasad November 8, 09 10:49 AM

Festival it is. Great pictures.....

Posted by Devakumar Kadalur November 8, 09 08:19 PM

Let this light of hope cure all evils present in world ..lets enjoy the festival of light ..!!!

Posted by satish Kumar S November 9, 09 12:41 AM

Absolutely beautiful!!

Posted by Zachary November 10, 09 11:41 PM

@112 You asked why Diwali occurred at this time of year, and I am a bit curious too. The Wikipedia entry claims this is the end of the harvest season in much of India. It suggests that Diwali is in some sense a harvest celebration, which is why Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is honored. (such as in photo #20).

I'm not sure that is an accurate explanation. Would anyone care to comment?

Posted by Lynn November 11, 09 09:09 AM

A wonderful collection. Specially number 19 obama lighting the lamp and serial number 22 is very beautiful. Good efforts. The notes to appreciate better the wide coverage and are going on before the diwali.
Best work continue.
Laxman.

Posted by M.Laxman November 11, 09 10:05 PM

amazing pictures

Posted by neil November 12, 09 03:28 PM

Oh, India...how you fill me with wonder.
Simply amazing.

Posted by SG November 12, 09 09:36 PM

nice pictures.. True color of India.. Jai ho

Posted by dev November 16, 09 04:09 AM

Amazing pictures. This is one of the stories of India. It is important that we get more stories of India or any other country for that matter. For more stories about india check My India My News

Posted by India1947 November 18, 09 02:33 AM

These are the best pictures I've ever seen for Diwali celebration!!!

Posted by Rashmi November 18, 09 02:38 PM

Amazing Photographs.. bright & colorful! What a glimpse of how we celebrate this festival in India!

.. missed the "Ravan Dahan" picture though :)

Posted by Deepti Alla November 20, 09 03:36 AM

Tremendous! amazing photo :)

Posted by maroon November 21, 09 11:19 AM