Photo Gallery: Around the country, people celebrate Diwali with fervour

People all around the country gear up to celebrate Diwali 2018 with fervour and enthusiasm. Lakshmi Devi also referred to as the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali. An elaborate Puja is performed and the Goddess is worshipped by devotees to usher in Lakshmi (wealth). Men, women and children dressed in new clothes gear up to welcome the Maa Lakshmi in the evening by keeping open the doors of their home. Beautiful rangoli made of flowers or colours and other decorative items adorn the threshold of the house and torans or door hangings enhance the beauty of the entrance. Businessmen open their new books of accounts and also initiate new ventures on this day. The Tithi on which Lakshmi Pujan is performed coincides with Amasya or new moon day.

People purchase earthen lamps and other items for Diwali festivals, at a market in Kolkata.

Women buy decorative items at a shop on the eve of the festival of lights.

Children burst firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Patna.

People take home crackers on the eve of Diwali in Amritsar.