Diwali explored in 20 stunning images

For five days each year, cityscapes are illuminated with lights in India and many other countries and communities celebrating Diwali. Millions of lights are intended to welcome the good into people's homes.

"Diya" translates to the word "lamp" in English and is used for many ceremonial occasions throughout the year. The simplest way to celebrate Diwali is to light a diya in your home. Potters handmake millions of clay lamps and see a spike in demand right before the annual festival.

China and India are the two leading producers of firecrackers in the world. Making the popular consumer item involves dealing with chemicals like phosphorus, sulfur, and potassium. The factories and local shops produce tons of hazardous waste, and the people who work there are at risk for pulmonary diseases. But the tradition of lighting firecrackers to further commemorate the triumph of good over evil during Diwali is longstanding. As a result, the holiday continues to fuel the firecracker industry.

Similar to the use of handheld firecrackers, fireworks represent the same sentiment of welcoming the good. Firework displays dot the South East Asian skies this time of year. Common locations for setting them off include temples and places of worship, such as the Golden Temple Amritsar (pictured).

Excessive use of fireworks and firecrackers during the holiday exacerbates India's worsening toxic smog problem. Pictured above is New Delhi a few days after Diwali celebrations in 2018. In 2019, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar urged people not to use firecrackers at all. Continued air pollution during the holiday has prompted Indian governments to impose strict regulations on fireworks and to promote newly emerging alternatives such as green firecrackers. Green firecrackers differ in that they don't use barium nitrate with potassium nitrate and include dust suppressants.

India's Supreme Court banned regular firecrackers in 2018 and instituted a two-hour window for the use of eco-friendly firecrackers. Both these regulations continue in 2023, but people snub rules and regularly used firecrackers across the country anyway. Even kids take part in the festivities, often lighting firecrackers in backyards and alleyways.

Another hazard of using fireworks is the effect they have on animals. There are an estimated 30 million stray dogs in India. The loud and frequent bursting sounds can cause fear and anxiety in animals—particularly ones that don't have a home to retreat to. As an alternative to the air and sound pollution, volunteers propose the use of lanterns as a safer and more peaceful alternative.

Another notable tradition accompanying Diwali is the creation of rangoli. Rangoli is used for many other celebrations as well; it is a decorative and auspicious practice for which people make decorative designs with colored sand, flower petals, and grains like rice. Rangolis can often be seen in temples and at the foot of entryways and doors to bring good luck.

Many communities in India still shun widowed women and forbid them to celebrate holidays, including Diwali. These women, who in many cases were married off young and never received an education, are forced to wear white and cast away. But that's beginning to change. Seen here are groups of widowed women carrying diyas on their heads as they parade through the streets to commemorate the festival and their participation.

Mehndi is the application of henna, a plant which, when dried and made into a paste, acts as a temporary dye. Mehndi decorates women's hands and feet in times of celebration, including Diwali. Whether it was a replacement for jewelry, served as a symbol of beauty and luck, used for its medicinal value, or all of the above, the exact origins of Mehndi aren't clear. But in India and other Southeast Asian countries, mehndi is historically tied to weddings, festivals, and other hopeful days.

Lakshmi Puja, known as Chopda Pujan in other regions such as Gujarat, is the third day of Diwali's five-day celebration that is all about Lakshmi. Lakshmi is known as the goddess of wealth and purity, and because of that, it is common to find people adorning books, computers, and checkbooks with fruit, sweets, and flowers to offer Lakshmi in return for a blessing. For some, attending a temple or doing a simple prayer is all that signifies the day. Regardless, it is thought that a blessing from the goddess of wealth during this holy time will result in financial prosperity for the coming year.

The vibrant colors of marigolds are considered auspicious and are used to dress front doors and idols for worship. Days before the festival itself, people will spend hours creating garlands out of the flowers to share and even sell, which is seen here.

In Sanskrit, "dhan" means wealth, and "tera" refers to the 13th day of the Hindu calendar. Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali, and on this day, people make purchases of precious metals to bring good luck to their endeavors. Whether it's metal pots and pans, or fine jewelry, people typically use this day to make a significant and auspicious purchase.

Hindus in Nepal know Diwali as Tihar, and it involves many of the same elements—such as the celebration of Lakshmi—but there are some variations. For example, the second day of Tihar is marked by the worship of dogs.

Dogs are thought to be the agents of Yama, the god of death, and are involved in guiding souls to a peaceful afterlife. Marigold garlands and tika (vermilion powder) are placed on the dogs. In addition to appeasing the god of death, the day also commemorates the loyal and compassionate relationship between humans and dogs. Police officers will celebrate their canine partners on this day as a sign of respect for their contribution to society.

Another variation between Tihar and Diwali is on the day of Lakshmi Puja. In Nepal, before the celebration of Lakshmi in the evening, Hindus take part in Gar Tihar—the worship of cows. As seen above, cows are given marigold garlands and blessed with tika. Cows are considered sacred, which is why many Hindus don't eat beef. However, cows are also celebrated for the food they give to society in the form of milk, butter, and cheese.

In addition to filling households with diyas, people honor and celebrate relationships during this holiday. Specifically, days four and five are Padwa/Balipratipada and Bhai Dooj/Bhaiya Dooj. The former celebrates the relationship between husband and wife, and the latter recognizes the bond between brothers and sisters. Exchanging gifts and sweets is common among family members.

The Ganga, also known as the River Ganges, is mentioned in many religious texts as the site of miraculous events or as holding healing powers. The location and water itself are considered sacred by Hindus. Ceremonial bathing in this river is thought to wash away the bad and bring in the good. In recent times, increasing concerns have grown around the pollution and quality of the water because of religious use. People bathe in the river, set candles afloat, and also spread cremated remains in the river. The combination of all those tributes over time has created environmental problems.

People pay visits to temples to honor the idols of celebrated deities like the goddess Lakshmi. Priests accept donations and blessings that come in the form of fruits, flowers, or money. They also perform prayers and guide people through the puja itself.

Dances are also historically tied to this celebration as another way to honor the goddess Lakshmi and bring good luck for the coming year. The dances themselves vary regionally, but all tell a story through physical movements and expressions.

Perhaps the sweetest parts of the Hindu festival are the desserts themselves. It's a tradition to make sweets such as gulab jamun, laddoo, kaju katli, and so many more. Pictured above is an Indian chef making trays of gulab jamun, which are soft spheres made from milk, sugar, rose, and cardamom. These sweets are there for celebrators to enjoy and also to offer the gods in hopes of a blessing.

Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn.