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The festival of lights, Diwali, is not only brightening up India, but almost the entire world where the Indian diaspora marked their presence across the globe.

A man speaks to a police officer during Diwali celebrations in Leicester.Reuters

These include the UK, the US, Russia, Australia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and South Africa, where the festival of lights is celebrated with fervor.

Being the second-largest ethnic minority in Britain, all Indian festivals are celebrated in a grand manner there, but come Diwali, they have the largest fête over any other place outside India. In fact, Diwali 2014 celebrations in Leicester attracted over 35,000 people, according to BBC.After Belgrave Road was lit up with 6,000 lamps on Sunday, there was a firework and laser show at Cossington Recreation Ground, which will also serve as the venue for the festivities on the actual day of Diwali, 23 October.

Barck Obama, who was the first US president to celebrate the festival of lights in 2009, has sent Diwali wishes to everyone this year too. "I want to wish a Happy Diwali to all those who are celebrating the festival of lights here in the United States and around the world," he said.

Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festivals in Moscow, with Lakshmi Puja and lighting Diyas. However, they do not light diyas outside their flats or indulge in bursting fire-crackers, following the local security rules.

Australia has population of over 2,00,000-strong South Asian community and recognising this, the Sydney Opera House was lit up in a vibrant orange colour to celebrate Diwali, New Kerala reported."People from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka as well as South East Asia have brought with them the rich traditions of Deepavali and we appreciate the positive contributions they've made to our multi-cultural society," the minister for citizenship and communities, Victor Dominello, said.