Diwali is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated in India and around the world. Also known as the Festival of Lights, it commemorates the victory of good over evil. During Diwali, families light oil lamps, decorate their homes with rangoli patterns, exchange gifts, and light fireworks. The five-day celebration culminates on the third day with Lakshmi puja, honoring the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

1. Deepawali :
Festival of Lights
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

2. Deepawali/Diwali
• Deepawali commonly known as Diwali means Rows of
Diyas/Lamps.
• It is one of the biggest Hindu festivals celebrated with pomp
and splendour all over India and in many other parts of the
world.
• Namaste is a traditional Hindu greeting based on the belief
that each one of us is a part of God or the Divine. We salute
the Divinity in the person we meet.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

4. An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

5. A potter makes earthen lamps for the Diwali festival, in Allahabad, India

6. Volunteers work inside a candle and lamp making workshop at a blind school ahead
of the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi, India

7. A potter makes clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India

8. A woman colours clay lamps for Diwali in Mumbai, India on October 15th, 2009

9. Diwali : When is it celebrated?
• The Hindu calendar is based on the lunar cycle and the
movement of the moon, unlike the conventional
Gregorian/English calendar.
• The result is that Indian festivals move sideways
compared to the English calendar from year to year.
• Diwali, for example falls on the date of the ‘No
moon’(called Amavasya) In the month of Kartika (Hindi
Calendar), usually this is in October or November.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

10. Diwali: Why do we celebrate it?
• Celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
• Beginning of new year for Hindus.
• After fourteen years of exile in the forest, the King of
Ayodhya, Lord Rama with his wife Sita and his brother
Lakshman, 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 celebrated
and fired fireworks to show their happiness. These festivities
continue every year at Diwali and are still celebrated today.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

11. Diwali: Festival of Lights
• Diwali celebrations can last up to five days. Each region of the
country celebrating the triumph of good over evil in a
uniquely regional way.
• First day is called Dhanteras. Major shopping day, particularly
for gold or silver articles.
• Second day is called Narka Chaturdashi. Chhoti Diwali(Small
Diwali). House decoration and colourful floor patterns,
Rangoli, are made.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

12. Diwali: How do we celebrate it?
• Third day is called Main Diwali. Lakshmi Pooja (Workshipping
the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity). Merchants and
shopkeepers close out their old year.
• Fourth day is called Padwa/Goverdhan Pooja. It celebrates the
love and mutual devotion between the wife and husband.
Exchange of gifts. Goverdhan Pooja in the honor of Lord
Krishna. Merchants and shopkeepers start a new fiscal year
with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.
• Fifth day is called Bhai Dooj. It celebrates the sister-brother
loving relationship. Sisters pray for the well being of their
brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving
and conversations.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

13. Diwali: How do we celebrate it?

14. Diwali: How do we celebrate it?
• Lighting of Diyas or earthen lamps in every corner of homes.
• Decoration of homes in multi-colored and floral design
(Rangoli).
• Visits to the temples and offerings to Lakshmi, the Goddess of
Spiritual and material prosperity
• Exchange of sweets with friends and neighbors.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

15. And Fireworks
.

16. A boy lights fireworks on the Hindu festival of Diwali in New Delhi

17. Children wave sparklers at night, during Diwali in New Delhi, India

18. In this long-exposure photograph, two girls spin sparklers in the air, in Ahmadabad, India

19. A devotee lights a lamp at Akshardham temple during celebrations to mark the annual
Hindu festival of Diwali at Gandhinagar in the western Indian state of Gujarat

20. An Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldier lights a candle inside a bunker on the
occasion of the Hindu festival of Diwali, at the India-Bangladesh border on the
outskirts of Agartala, capital of India's north eastern state of Tripura.

21. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers light candles to celebrate Diwali, at the India-
Bangladesh border on the outskirts of the eastern Indian city of Siliguri

22. A boy dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna participates in the annual procession on the eve
of Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, in Paramaribo, Suriname

23. Children decorate their front yard with lamps as they celebrate Diwali at the Sanatan
Dharm Children's Home in Paramaribo, Suriname

24. Picture of India on Diwali (Taken by NASA’s Satellite)

25. It’s a fake picture which was in circulation for quite
some time in the Facebook and many people believed
it to be true.
I just kept it here to give you an idea about the Diwali
Celebrations in India.
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

26. Special Message
Special Diwali Message
An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata

27. An artisan paints an earthen lamp at a workshop for Diwali in the Indian city of Kolkata