In Pictures: From homes to markets, India celebrates the festival of lights
India celebrated the festival of Diwali on November 8, 2026, with widespread displays of lights, prayers, and community gatherings. The event saw diverse celebrations ranging from traditional lamp lighting to large-scale government-organized cultural displays.
Why it matters
Diwali is a major cultural and economic event in India, significantly impacting retail markets and social life across the country.
I ndia celebrated Deepavali, the festival of lights, with prayers, lamps and family gatherings across the country on November 8, 2026.
Homes, temples and markets glowed with diyas, lanterns and strings of lights as people marked the festival.
Rangoli designs, flowers and sweets filled households, while crowds thronged markets for last-minute shopping.
Families offered evening prayers and shared sweets with neighbours, with fireworks lighting up the sky where permitted.
Here are pictures of the celebrations from across the country.
People light earthen lamps on the occasion of Diwali, festival of lights, near the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Srinagar, November 8, 2026.
People light earthen lamps on the occasion of Deepavali near the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Srinagar, on November 8, 2026.
Thick smog in Chennai following Deepavali fireworks on November 8, 2026.
People burst crackers on Deepavali in New Delhi on November 8, 2026.
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