Hindus celebrate festival of light

An Indian shopkeeper arranges artificial garlands on display on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in New Delhi, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

Hindus light up their homes and pray to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, during the festival which was celebrated on Nov. 3.

Indian volunteers release sky lanterns to promote a peaceful and eco-friendly Diwali and create awareness against child labor in the fire cracker industry, during a function in Kolkata, Oct. 30, 2013.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, marks victory over evil and commemorates the time when Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana and returned to his kingdom Ayodhya.

Indian Hindu women play with fireworks to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Nov. 3, 2013.

An Indian craftsman paints clay "diyas" (earthen lamps) ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Amritsar, India, Oct. 29, 2013.

Indian Hindu woman light earthen lamps to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India, Nov. 3, 2013.

A man sits among marigold flower garlands for sale at an intersection in New Delhi on the day that Hindus in South Asia celebrate Diwali, one of the most important holidays in the Hindu calendar, Nov. 3, 2013. The garlands are used by people to decorate their homes.

An Indian Sikh devotee lights candles at the illuminated Sikhism's holiest shrine Golden Temple in Amritsar, on the eve of Bandi Chhor Divas, or Diwali, Nov. 2, 2013.

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas or Diwali to mark the return of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, who was freed from imprisonment and also managed to release 52 political prisoners at the same time from Gwalior fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619.

Indian firecracker vendors wait for customers at a market ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights in Allahabad, India, Oct. 31, 2013.

A Malaysian Hindu prays to the deity Lord Ganesha during Diwali celebrations in the capital Kuala Lumpur, Nov. 2, 2013.

An Indian Sikh devotee lights candles at Sikhism's holiest shrine, Golden Temple, in Amritsar, India, Nov. 3, 2013, on the occasion of Bandi Chhor Divas or Diwali.

An Indian shopkeeper, selling decorative items, is assisted by a young boy as they wait for customers on the eve of Diwali, in New Delhi, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

A woman decorates the pavement outside her home with sand, known as rangoli art, to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, in Leicester, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

Up to 35,000 people attended the Diwali festival of light in Leicester's Golden Mile in the heart of the city's South Asian community.

Chefs cook traditional food on the streets to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali in Leicester, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

The Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre is illuminated to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali in Leicester, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

Young children hold sparklers as the home of the Barut family is decorated to celebrate the Hindu festival of Diwali, Leicester, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

Worshipers gather to pray in the temple during Diwali celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Watford, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

A woman holds a lantern during Diwali celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Watford, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

A woman struggles with her scarf in high winds during Diwali celebrations at Bhaktivedanta Manor, in Watford, England, Nov. 3, 2013.

Indian Hindu devotees gather as they attempt to collect blessings during Annakut celebrations at a temple at Agartala, Nov. 4, 2013.

Annakut or "heap of grain" - which falls on the fourth day of the Diwali Festival is celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra.

Indian girls makes Rangoli, or traditional artwork made with colored powder, on the eve of Diwali, the Hindu festival of colors, in Ahmadabad, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

Indian Hindu women play with fireworks to celebrate Diwali, in Allahabad, India, Nov. 3, 2013.

Indian Border Security Force soldiers and villagers light candles to celebrate Diwali, near the India-Pakistan international border area, at Ranbir Singh Pora, Nov. 2, 2013.

Colorful lanterns and stars hang from roadside stalls on the eve of Diwali festival in Mumbai, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

Indian widows light crackers as they celebrate Diwali or the festival of lights at an Ashram in Vrindavan, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

Indian widows light lamps as they celebrate Diwali or the festival of lights at an Ashram in Vrindavan, India, Nov. 2, 2013.

Hindu devotees lie on the ground in front of running cows as part of a ritual during the Govardhan Puja festival in Dhar, India, Nov. 4, 2013.

An Indian Hindu woman holds a tray filled with earthen lamps during Diwali celebrations in Allahabad, India, Nov. 3, 2013.

Indian volunteers release sky lanterns to promote a peaceful and eco-friendly Diwali and create awareness against child labor in the fire cracker industry during a function in Kolkata, Oct. 30, 2013.