Deepavali, or the festival of lights, has its origins in ancient India as a harvest festival celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartika. Several scriptures from the 1st millennium AD reference the tradition of lighting lamps during Deepavali. The festival involves significant preparations like cleaning homes and decorating with lamps. It is celebrated with prayers, fireworks, and the exchange of gifts and sweets. Regional variations include the worship of different deities, like Goddess Kali in West Bengal during Deepavali.

2.  Deepavali dates back to ancient times in India, as a
festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu calendar
months of kartika. The scriptures such as the padma
purana, the skanda purana both completed in second
half of 1st millennium AD but believe to have been
expanded from a core text from an earlier era. King
Harsh in 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda mentions
deepavali as deepa-prati-pad-utsava, where lamps
were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms were
given gifts. The persian traveler and historian AI Biruni,
in his 11th century memoiron ‘Indica’, wrote deepavali
being celebrated by Hindus all new moon day of the
month of kartika.

3.  Deepavali is one of the happiest holidays in India and
Nepal with significant preparations. People clean their
home and decorate them for the festivities. Deepavali
is one of the biggest shopping seasons in India and
Nepal; people buy new clothes for themselves and their
families, as well as appliances, gifts, utensils, even
expensive items such as cars and gold jewelry. People
also buy gifts for family members and friends which
typically include sweets dry fruits, and seasonal
specialties depending on regional harvest and
costums.

5.  Kali puja is the light-up night for
West Bengal, Mithila region of Bihar
and Assam kali puja coincides with
the festival of diwali (pronounced
‘Dipaboli’ in Bengali), (in Maithili, it
is known as ‘diya-baati’) where
people light diyas in memory of the
souls of departed ancestors. The
goddess kali is worshipped not
Lakshmi, for whole night on one night
during this festival.

6.  The sparkling “festival of lights”, diwali is celebrated all
over the world with great enthusiasm.
1. Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday.
2. The Legend of king Mahabali.
3. The killing of Narakasura.
4. The return of the Pandavas.
5. The victory of Rama.
6. Coronation of Vikramaditya.
7. The Enlightenment of Swami Dayananda Saraswati.
8. The Enlightenment of Vardhamana Mahavira.
9. Special day for the Sikhs.
10. Goddess kali.
11. The harvest festival.
12. Hindu new year day.