In Pictures: Diwali celebrations in India and Pakistan
Diwali, or the festival of lights, is observed by Hindus around the world every year with oil lamps, fireworks, prayers and songs as well as the exchange of gifts and sweets to mark the triumph of good over evil.
A rangoli, made of coloured powder, and illuminated by an earthern oil lamp, adorns the entrance of a shop in the residential area of Vakola in Mumbai.
Diwali is a significant festival in the Hindu calendar and celebrated by followers of the religion across the world.
Here's a look at how the festival was celebrated in India and Pakistan this week.
Members of Pakistan's Hindu community light sparklers during Diwali celebrations at Lahore's Krishna Mandir on Wednesday November 7 2018.
People shop for new clothes while gifts and sweets are exchanged and firecrackers are set off during Diwali.
Various coloured powders are sold for rangoli, which people create with their hands, at their doorstep. Every year, new stencils with intricate patterns are seen in the market.
Marigold and mango leaves are hung at the door flower market in Dadar area of Mumbai during the Diwali celebrations.
Followers of other religions in India also join the Hindus in the Diwali celebrations.
Diwali brings a boost to the sales to shopkeepers like Mr Chheda who operates a family-owned sweets shop in Mumbai's Dadar market area.
A roadside decorations stall sells lowcost string of lights and lanterns in the Dadar market area of Mumbai.
The celebrations of the event in India also mark an arrival of shopping season.
Retailers offer promotional discounts most similar to Christmas and Eid sales in other countries.
Diwali brings massive crowds of shoppers often causing traffic jams in Dadar area, where one of Mumbai's largest open market is located.
In contrast to previous years, Diwali in Mumbai was subdued, with fewer firecrackers following an order by India’s supreme court that allowed only a two-hour window between 8pm and 10pm for their use.
On the other hand, pollution levels were at their peak in the Indian capital of New Delhi.
Houses at an apartment complex are decorated with lanterns for Diwali celebrations in Mumbai's Dadar market area.
The main event of the “festival of lights” in Pakistan was held at Lahore’s Krishna Mandir - one of the two active Hindu temples in the provincial capital of Punjab province.
A woman applies Tilak to a girl during Diwali celebrations at Krishan Mandir in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.
Children belonging to Pakistan's Hindu community light fire sparklers during celebrations of Diwali festival at Lahore's Krishna Mandir on Wednesday November 7 2018.
Lahore is home to a number of Hindu families, the city once had huge Hindu population before the partition of India in 1947.
The event is not only restricted to Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Muslims were also invited to observe the festival of lights.
Members of Pakistan's Hindu community offer prayers at the Krishan Mandir in Pakistan's Lahore city on Wednesday, November 7, 2018.
Members of Pakistan’s Hindu community performed the prayers, set off firecrackers, lit oil lamps and sang Bhajans or religious songs.
A Hindu woman offers prayers at the Krishan Mandir in Lahore, Pakistan on Wednesday November 7 2018.
In Pakistan, Hindus are the largest religious minority with most of them settled in southern province of Sindh.
Owing to the law and order situation of the country and attacks on minorities, most Hindus in Pakistan prefer to celebrate Diwali indoors or within the confines of their temple compounds.
A member of Pakistan's Hindu community rings the bell at Lahore's Krishna Mandir on the festival of Diwali on Wednesday November 7 2018.
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