Diwali celebration 2016: World lit up to celebrate the festival of light with fervour and zeal

Fireworks illuminated the evening sky, earthen lamps dotted houses and lights decked up buildings as people across the world exchanged sweets and gifts on the occasion of Diwali. People burst crackers, lit fireworks and visited their kith and kin, exchanging festive greetings and sweets while social media, including the likes of WhatsApp and Twitter, was flooded with Diwali messages as many took the virtual route to convey their wishes. Diwali is celebrated to mark the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya from his exile after vanquishing demon-king Ravana. Not just in the India, the festival was celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in US as well. US President Barack Obama has celebrated Diwali by lighting the first-ever diya in the Oval Office of the White House and hoped that his successors would continue the tradition. Here’s a look at the Diwali celebrations across the world:

Indians light lamps at Akshardham temple on the eve of Diwali, the festival of lights, in Gandhinagar, India. Diwali is one of Hinduism's most important festivals, dedicated to the worship of the Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi.

An Indian street dweller lights earthen lamps to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad, India.

A family from the Hindu community light fireworks as they sit next to a traditional artwork outside their house while celebrating the Diwali festival, in Karachi, Pakistan.

Indian street children play with firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Allahabad.

A young Hindu priest performs worship rituals on a cow during Tihar festival in Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016.Cows are considered sacred to Hindus and are worshipped during Tihar festival, one of the most important Hindu festivals dedicated to the Goddess of wealth Laxmi.

A police dog stands with a garland of flowers and vermillion powder smeared on its forehead during Tihar festival celebrations at a police kennel division in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2016. Dogs are worshipped to acknowledge their role in providing security during Tihar festival, one of the most important Hindu festivals that is also dedicated to the worship of the goddess of wealth Laxmi.

An Indian lights firecrackers to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Jammu, India. Hindus across the country are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light and burst firecrackers.

People hold sky lanterns and participate in a campaign against the use of firecrackers during Diwali festival in Kolkata, India. Hindus light lamps, wear new clothes, exchange sweets and gifts and pray to goddess Lakshmi during Diwali, the festival of lights.

Women from the Hindu community worship during a ceremony to celebrate Diwali, at Krishna temple in Lahore, Pakistan.

The UN headquarters lit up and greeted the people on the occasion of Diwali for the first time in New York.

Youngsters dance in celebration of Diwali in Thane, Mumbai

Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik makes a sand art Happy Diwali dedicated to the Indian soldiers at Paradeep beach, Jagatsinghpur district of Odhisa.

BSF jawans celebrating Diwali near the India-Bangladesh border in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal.

Obama celebrates Diwali, lights first-ever diya in Oval Office.