Each year, families all across India travel back to their hometowns and native villages to celebrate Diwali, the most significant of Hindu holidays. Diwali is known as the “festival of lights” and signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, on November 7th, much of India celebrated by making offerings, lighting candles, feasting, exchanging gifts, and lighting fireworks into the late hours of the night.

I was generously invited to a celebration in a small village outside Karnal, in the northern Indian state of Haryana. These photos portray just a portion of the Diwali celebrations, which last for five days.