The world celebrates Diwali

The remover of all obstacles - A Lord Ganesha 'Rangoli' on the eve of Diwali in Varanasi. (PTI Photo)

A burst of sparkles as people set of crackers in Gurgaon to celebrate the festival of lights. (PTI Photo)

Pakistani Hindu devotees light diyas on the occasion of Diwali in Karachi on October 17, 2009. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with jubilation and enthusiasm with people decorating their homes with flowers and diyas (AFP Photo)

A Pakistani Hindu woman prays on the occasion of Diwali in Lahore on October 17, 2009. The festival celebrates the homecoming of Lord Ram and honours Goddess Lakshmi. (AFP Photo)

A Bangladeshi Hindu devotee lights diyas on the eve of Diwali in the Dakeswari Temple in Dhaka on October 17, 2009. (AFP Photo)

A young boy, near fireworks, set for Diwali, at the residence of the Durban Consul General of India in Durban, South Africa. Close to a billion Hindus celebrated Diwali on Saturday and Sunday. (AP Photo)

A young girl lights up circles with her sparkler in Bikaner on Diwali. (PTI Photo)

Young girls create a queue of lights. No small task with 1008 diyas to be lit. (PTI Photo)

The illuminated Akshardham Temple - lit with thousands of oil lamps is seen during Diwali in Gandhinagar, some 30 kms from Ahmedabad. The festival of light, Diwali, marks the homecoming of the God Lord Ram after vanquishing the demon king Ravana and symbolises taking people from darkness to light and the victory of good over evil. (AFP Photo)

Fireworks are seen above the illuminated Golden Temple in Amritsar on Diwali in Amritsar on October 17, 2009. (AFP Photo)

A Kashmiri girl lights candles to celebrate Diwali in Srinagar on Saturday. (PTI Photo)