Diwali is also known as Deepavali and the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year.The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the dark, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November. Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate and decorate their homes. For Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family Puja typically to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After Puja (prayers), fireworks follow, then a family feast including Mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends. Diwali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated. Diwali is an important festival for Hindus. The name of festive days as well as the rituals of Diwali varies significantly among Hindus, based on the region of India. In many parts of India, the festivities start with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdasi on the second day, Diwali on the third day, Diwali Padva dedicated to wife-husband relationship on the fourth day, and festivities end with Bhau-beej dedicated to sister-brother bond on the fifth day. Dhanteras usually falls eighteen days after Dussehra. On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of Moksha by Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas. Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji. Source: Wikipedia

1. Diwali – Festival of Lights

2. “Deepavali” or Diwali is the Indian Festival
of lights.
‘Deepa’ means lamp or light and ‘Vali’
means ‘string of’.

3. It is one of the biggest Hindu festivals
celebrated with pomp and splendour all over
India and in many other parts of the world

4. The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle
and the movement of the moon, unlike the
conventional Western (or Gregorian) calendar.
The result is that Hindu festivals move about
the Western calendar from year to year.
Diwali, for example falls on the date of the
new moon between the Hindu months of
Asvina and Kartika, usually this is in October
or November.

5. What is the story of King Rama?
 After fourteen years of exile in the forest, the King of
Ayodhya, Rama, and his brother Laksman, returned to their
hometown.
 Before that, they defeated Demon King Ravana in a fierce
war.
 Upon Rama's return to Ayodhya the people of the town lit
lamps to welcome the King back and to celebrate the
victory over Ravana.
 Overjoyed at the return of King Rama, the people danced
and celebrated and fired fireworks to show how happy they
were. These festivities continue every year at Diwali and
are still celebrated today.

6. Celebrations
Homes are thoroughly cleaned.
Windows are opened and diyas are lit.
As a greeting to Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.
Candles are often substituted for diyas.
 During Diwali, gifts are exchanged and
festive meals are prepared.

7. Five Days Of Festivities
The first day is called Dhan Theras. People
buy jewellery and worship it to God.

8. Narka Chaturdashi
 The second day is called Narka Chaturdashi.
It marks the death of the tyrant king
“Narakusara” who imprisoned many sons and
daughters of the Gods.

9. Lakshmi Puja
 The third day is called Lakshmi Puja. We
worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of
good luck, wealth and fortune

10. Padwa
 The fourth day is called Padwa. It is looked
as the most auspicious time to start any
venture.

11. Bhai Dooj
 The fifth day is called Bhai Dooj. Sister puts
a sacred mark on her brother’s forehead and
prays for his ling life and prosperity.