Thiruvananthapuram: A large number of devotees visited Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, which is known as one of the 108 ''divyadesams'' of Lord Vishnu,  in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday to offer their prayers on the occasion of Diwali.

On the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar, Lord Rama (the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu) is said to have returned from a 14-year exile during which he fought and defeated the demon king Ravan.

Diwali will be celebrated this year on Thursday, November 4th. In order to commemorate the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance," people decorate their homes, exchange gifts, and offer prayers during the festival.

The Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Hindu temple located in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital of Kerala, India. It is considered as the richest place of worship in the world. The name of the city of 'Thiruvananthapuram' in Malayalam translates to "The City of Lord Ananta", (The City Of Lord Vishnu)  referring to the deity of the Padmanabhaswamy temple.

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