IMAGES OF HINDUISM

Diwali 2009 October 17th marked the celebration of Diwali among Hindus and other groups around the world. Diwali is also known as the "Festival of Lights" (the name translates as "row of lamps" in Sanskrit).Diwali 2009

The festival marks the home coming of Hindu God Rama to signifies the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. Celebrants observe Diwali with fireworks, colorful lanterns, lamps, garlands, sweet treats and worship. Collected here are a handful of photographs of Diwali 2009.

Marigold flowers at a roadside stall on the eve of the Hindu festival of Diwali in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad October 16, Flowers are offered to Hindu gods and goddesses on the occasion of Diwali, the annual festival of lights

A rickshaw puller passes in front of unfinished idols of Hindu goddess Kali outside a workshop in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata

A child sits near idols of Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, on the eve of Diwali in Hyderabad, India

Hindu worshippers pray during the festival of Diwali at Shivm Kovi temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka

A devotee lights a lamp at Akshardham temple during celebrations to mark the annual Diwali festival.

A priest watches worshippers during the festival of Diwali at Shivm Kovi temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka

U.S. President Barack Obama lights a traditional oil lamp as Sri Narayanachar Digalakote, Hindu Priest from the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Maryland,