UAE leaders have extended greetings to people around the world celebrating Diwali.
The messages were led by President Sheikh Mohamed, who posted a message on X expressing his best wishes to those celebrating the Hindu festival.
"Best wishes to all those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world. May the coming year bring peace, health and prosperity to you and your loved ones," Sheikh Mohamed said.
Also offering greetings to those celebrating the Hindu festival of lights was Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. "Warmest wishes and greetings to those celebrating Diwali in the UAE and around the world," Sheikh Mohammed said.
"May this festival of lights bring peace, safety and prosperity to you and your loved ones. Happy Diwali!"
Diwali is regarded as the most important Hindu festival. This year, celebrations began on October 18 with Dhanteras, with the main Diwali festivities falling today.
Celebrations took place across the UAE, with the landmark Baps Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi expected to receive thousands of Diwali visitors from early on Monday morning. The temple, usually closed at the start of the week, remained open for Diwali prayers.
The place of worship and popular visitor attraction, which is open to people of all faiths and nationalities, has welcomed more than two million people since it opened on February 14 last year.
Organisers had previously warned worshippers to book a place ahead of time, such was the expected level of demand on Monday. On Wednesday, meals will be offered to the gods by worshippers as part of a tradition called annakut.
Festivities will continue through the weekend of October 25 and 26, with the maha-annakut or grand offering of hundreds of vegetarian meals placed before the gods.
Worshippers also flocked on Monday to the popular Hindu temple in the Jebel Ali, Dubai.
Diwali celebrations in the UAE - in pictures
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The Baps Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi welcomed large crowds on Monday in celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights. Victor Besa / The National -
The first day of Diwali at the Baps Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi and the festive spirit is caught on camera. Victor Besa / The National -
A little girl sounds a bell for good luck on the first day of Diwali at the Baps Hindu Mandir temple in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
This year, celebrations began on Saturday October 18 with Dhanteras, while main Diwali fell on Monday, October 20. The festival typically falls at the beginning of autumn and coincides with a new moon bringing light to the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar. Victor Besa / The National -
Diwali celebrations at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
The festival includes days for cleaning the home and replenishing lanterns with oil for five days. Doorways everywhere are made a blaze of colour with flower petals and rice to bring good luck. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Diwali celebrations with family, friends and fellow worshippers at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Diwali celebrations at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
The day of Diwali, the third of the festival, is for wearing new clothes and sending up fireworks to illuminate night skies, all with a sense of new beginnings. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Diwali celebrations at the Hindu Temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Diwali at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. In India, Diwali is traditionally when people buy the most gold as it is considered an auspicious time. Antonie Robertson/The National -
Diwali celebrations at the Hindu temple in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Antonie Robertson/The National
