Diwali Festival Preparation In Kolkata, India

A woman speaks on her mobile phone as she walks past semi-finished clay idols of the Hindu mythological characters ''Dakinis'' and ''Yoginis,'' who are worshiped along with the Hindu goddess Kali during the Kali Puja festival, at a roadside workshop in Kolkata, India, on October 27, 2024. Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning ''row of lights.'' It marks the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil. More than a billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali, also called Deepavali, is one of the biggest festivals in India. It is also widely celebrated in Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji, and other countries with large South Asian diasporas. Homes, businesses, and public spaces are lit up with diyas, or oil lamps made from clay, and fireworks displays abound. People gather with their families, eat sweets, and exchange gifts. (Photo by Rupak De Chowdhuri/NurPhoto via Getty Images)