The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras or Dhantryaodashi, which falls on the thirteenth day of the month of Ashwin.

The word 'Dhan' means wealth and it is a day of shopping for various things, especially jewellery.

Jewellery shops remain open late into the night as people buy gold and sliver ornaments and coins with goddess Lakshmi on it for pooja.

Photograph: Raveendran/AFP/Getty Images

Also See: The Majestic Mysore Dussehra