Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights, the festival commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE.

It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar.

The festival is begins with the kindling of a candle called candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, a new candle is lit each night during the eight-day celebration.

The festival also showcases and celebrates Jewish food on varying from fried foods to latkes and doughnuts.

Take a look at the Hanukkah celebrations by modern-day Jews.

A Jewish seminary student lights a candle for Hanukkah in Ashdod
A Jewish seminary student lights a candle for Hanukkah in Ashdod REUTERS
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish youths stand next to lit Hanukkah candles in Ashdod
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish youths stand next to lit Hanukkah candles in Ashdod REUTERS
Crowds watch as a giant menorah is lit for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in Trafalgar Square in London
Crowds watch as a giant menorah is lit for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in Trafalgar Square in London REUTERS
A Jewish seminary student lights a candle for Hanukkah in Ashdod
A Jewish seminary student lights a candle for Hanukkah in Ashdod Reuters
Members of Hungarys Jewish community gather to celebrate Hanukkah
Members of Hungary's Jewish community gather to celebrate Hanukkah Reuters
Crowd members join in for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in Trafalgar Square in London
Crowd members join in for the Jewish festival of Hanukkah in Trafalgar Square in London Reuters
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal lights a giant menorah during a ceremony in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin
Rabbi Yehuda Teichtal lights a giant menorah during a ceremony in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin Reuters
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man holds a child as he lights a candle for Hanukkah in Jerusalems Mea Shearim neighbourhood
An Ultra-Orthodox Jewish man holds a child as he lights a candle for Hanukkah in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood Reuters
Jewish seminary student Mayer Engel recites a prayer as he lights a candle for the Hanukkah in Jerusalems Mea Shearim neighbourhood
Jewish seminary student Mayer Engel recites a prayer as he lights a candle for the Hanukkah in Jerusalem's Mea Shearim neighbourhood Reuters
Hanukkah