Photos| Diwali 2017: India preps to celebrate the festival of lights

India braces for Diwali, one of its biggest festivals, with preparation ramping up on the occasion of Dhanteras. The mood turns festive as shopping, elaborate decorations and novel forms of celebration take over.

Updated on: Oct 17, 2017 12:18 PM IST

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Sarojini Nagar is one of Delhi’s historic markets and is decorated elaborately on the occasion of Diwali, as large number of people throng there for festive shopping. (Sonu Mehta / HT Photo)

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All across India, people are leaning towards earthen lamps to light up their Diwali as the government has expressed concerns over firecrackers, which harm the environment. Here, a potter is seen at his wheel, making earthen lamps on a street in Ajmer, India. (Himanshu Sharma / Reuters)

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Arun Kumar Lohra (R), a student at a vocational training centre run by the Blind Relief Association in New Delhi makes candles for Diwali, which will go up on sale at the popular Blind School Diwali Mela. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Vandana Gupta, a visually-impaired student, is seen making gift bags, which will go up on sale at the Blind School Diwali Mela, a popular event in New Delhi around the festival of lights. (Sanchit Khanna / HT Photo)

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Diwali is arguably India’s biggest festival, celebrated with much fanfare and never without a large share of sweets. Here in Kolkata, men are seen busy making ‘laddoos’ at a sweet shop. (Swapan Mahapatra / PTI)

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Artists make eco-friendly lanterns in a workshop for Diwali in Thane, Mumbai. (Praful Gangurde / HT Photo)

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Earthen lamps have evolved from the traditional diyas to all shapes and sizes available in the markets today. Probably resting after a long day’s work, an artist is seen with his loot of lamps inside a workshop in Chandigarh. (Ajay Verma / Reuters)

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As much as they’ve come under the scanner of the Supreme Court, firecrackers are still very popular as the main attraction on Diwali day. Gujarat sees one of India’s largest firecracker sales and workers are seen here making a batch of ‘anars’ in a factory on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. (Amit Dave / Reuters)

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In Amritsar, markets in general have brightened up their stock ahead of Diwali. (PTI)

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On the eve of ‘Dhanteras,’ women in Surat are seen in front of an elaborate Rangoli they’ve made to celebrate ‘Vaagh Baras,’ which signifies the closing of old accounts and opening of new ledger before the auspicious day of Diwali. (PTI)