Indians celebrate Diwali after two years of restrictions
STORY: The full-blown festivities come after two years of coronavirus restrictions which shut markets and forced locals to stay indoors and celebrate the most important Hindu festival on a sombre note.
The Diwali festival symbolizes the victory of righteousness over evil and the lifting of spiritual darkness – it's also the beginning of the Hindu new year.
The holiday celebrates the Hindu God Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya in northern India after 14 years of exile and the defeat of Ravana, the powerful king of Lanka.
Several Indian states this year banned the sale and burning of firecrackers which cause a surge in air pollution each year during the Diwali festival.
