Diwali 2015: What is the Festival of Lights and how is it celebrated in the UK?

With just a week to go until Diwali on 11 November, IBTimes UK takes a look at the Festival of Lights, which is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world. The festival marks the triumph of good over evil and is followed by the Hindu New Year, which falls on 12 November this year.

Diwali is a colourful and vibrant occasion and signifies the return of Rama to his kingdom following 14 years in exile. It is celebrated with prayers, firework displays, vivid Indian floor art called Rangoli and the lighting of earthenware oil lamps (known as diyas) to invite Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) into people's homes.

Indians make up the UK's largest foreign-born population and the biggest celebrations in the country are hosted by the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in North West London. The temple will have food stalls, puja (prayer ritual) and a fireworks display on Diwali, followed by the Annakut (mountain of food) offering on New Year's Day.