This five day festival is commonly known as the 'festival of lights.' All its traditions are vibrant and intensely coloured. While Hindus all over the world celebrate Diwali, it is officially a national holiday in India,Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. The festivities include extravagant decorations with traditional dias or oil lamps, fireworks and making sure the house is clean for the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi, to feel welcome.—Photos by agencies