Editorial photo #12871069 Religion and Belief
Diwali Festival Preparations In Kashmir, India
A vendor arranges firecrackers and waits for customers at a market ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 17, 2025. Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil and light over darkness and commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom, Ayodhya, after completing a 14-year exile. The main day of Diwali is celebrated on October 20, 2025. Meanwhile, India's top court allows the sale and bursting of firecrackers believed to be less polluting during the upcoming Diwali festival, even as air quality dips to very poor levels in the capital, Delhi. Crackers have been banned in Delhi since 2020, as they significantly contribute to the air pollution crisis the city faces each year. (Photo by Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto)
