Diwali 2018 in pictures: INCREDIBLE photos show record-breaking Diwali festival of lights
DIWALI 2018 is underway, and the magnificent festival of lights was marked with a record-breaking light display in India on Wednesday.
Diwali: Indian city Ayodhya lights 300,000 lamps to celebrate
The magnificent scenes were captured during the Diwali festivities in the northern Indian city if Ayodhya.
301,152 lamps glistened simultaneously for five minutes beside the Sarayu river.
Guinness World Records confirmed the dazzling display busted the previous record of 190,000 lamps preciously set in a neighbouring region.
Mesmerising images show huge crowds gathered to witness the spectacle.
The record-setting event marks another historic moment for the city, which is already famed in Hindu culture.
The god Rama is believed to have been born in Ayodhya, one of the religions most sacred cities.
What is Diwali?
The Hindu festival of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, takes place across five days in the seventh month of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, Ashwin.
The festival is embraced by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the globe.
This year, Diwali occurs between November 5 and 9, with the main celebration on Wednesday, November 7.
The celebration is also known as the festival of lights and commemorates Rama-chandra - the seventh incarnation of the god Vishnu - returning to his people following 14 days of exile.
During his exile, it is said Rama fought and defeated the demon king, Ravana.
The festivities of Diwali symbolise the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Each of the five days of Diwali have a different meaning.
Day one - Dhanteras - marks the beginning of celebrations.
Next is Chot Diwali, Naraka Chaturdasi, when sweet treats and feasts are prepared and bought.
Diwali is on the third day and is when the temple is visited, and time is spent with loved ones.
On day four, Annakut, Padwa, Govardhan Puja, the bond between a husband and wife is celebrated
The final day is Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooj and is one to commemorate the brother-sister relationship.