Every year thousands of people gather around Belgrave Road in Leicester to watch the Diwali light switch-on, the biggest of its kind outside of India.
Diwali is a significant festival for Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world, and is commonly known as the "Festival of Light".
The festival is a time for cleaning the home, wearing new clothes, eating great food and decorating buildings with fancy lights.
In Hinduism small oil lamps called diyas are placed outside homes to welcome in Goddess Lakshmi, and to celebrate the legend of Rama and Sita's return to Rama's kingdom after 14 years of exile.
The Diwali light switch-on in Leicester is seen as one of the city's biggest community events.
Shops and restaurants throw open their doors to Leicester residents and visitors.
Before the event local dancers got the ceremony underway with a feast of Indian dance, from classical to Bollywood.
This energetic group of boys performed the last dance before the switch-on ceremony got underway.
A number of guests were invited on stage to take part in the switch-on ceremony, which includes the lighting of a candle for Goddess Lakshmi.
Lord Mayor of Leicester Cllr Roger Blackmore delivered a speech in Hindi, and Temporary Chief Constable Chris Eyre spoke in Gujarati, to great cheers.
This year the lights were switched on by Maganbhai D. Patel of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, and Simon Lloyd, group HR director of Alliance and Leicester.
In Leicester over 1,000 metres of light displays, with 6,500 lamps are used to create the spectacular.
Leicester's Diwali celebrations are organised by Leicester City Council and Leicester Hindu Festival Council.
The lights decorate buildings down the whole stretch of Leicester's Golden Mile, lighting up the sky.
After the big switch-on the crowds made their way towards Cossington Street Recreation Ground for a fireworks display.
Autumn has definitely set in and many people were well wrapped up against the cold in coat, gloves, hats, and flashing bunny ears - what else!
The firework and laser display added to the vibrant colour of this year's event, marking the end of the evening in fitting style.
Diwali day itself takes place on Saturday 17 October 2009, and Leicester will again feature more cultural entertainment and fireworks for the celebration. For more information visit the City Council website.
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