Diwali is a massive festival celebrated by millions of people around the world.
Each year, the five-day festival is celebrated to mark the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
The festival begins today - just a few days after Halloween - and is dominantly celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
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Traditions include celebrating with food, presents, lighting candles and setting off fireworks.
What is Diwali?
Diwali, to put it simply, is the festival of light - the word itself comes from the Sanskrit for "row of lights."
For many festival-goers Diwali is celebrated in honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
The tradition of the festival related to the story of prince Rama and his wife princess Sita.
The prince and princess were banished from their kingdom for fourteen years by Rama's stepmother.
The couple went to live in the forest not knowing that a feared king with 20 arms and 10 heads live there.
King Ravana kidnapped the princess, but Sita left a trail of her jewellery so Rama could find her.
The prince then enlisted the help of the monkey king Hanuman to find his beloved wife, with messages sent to all the monkey in the kingdom and passed on to the bears too.
After searching for Sita for a long time, she was eventually discovered - Rama proceeded to kill king Ravana.
The couple travelled back to their homeland and everyone lit up oil lamps to guide them along the way and welcome them home.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Since the festival honours the goddess of wealth, oil lamps are often lit while windows and doors are left open.
The reasoning behind this is that it helps Lakshmi find her way into people's homes.
Houses and shops are also decorated with candles and colourful lights while firework displays are also involved in celebrations.
Other traditions include spring-cleaning the home, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts and preparing festive meals.
What is eaten during Diwali?
During the festival, friends and relatives visit each other bringing with them sweets and gifts while enjoying a delicious feast.
A cross between a snack, dessert and confectionary, 'Mithai' are made together by families in advance of the festivities and are enjoyed as a sweet snack or served alongside a main savoury meal.
Traditional savoury and sweet dishes are also enjoyed with many people welcoming family and friends to their homes to share food and exchange gifts.
