'Diwali' derives from Sanskrit meaning “to spread light"

What is Diwali?

Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus for the past three thousand years, but variations are also celebrated in other Dharmic faiths such as Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. The festival takes place over five days in the Indian lunar calendar month of Kartik, often in October or November.

The origin story of Diwali varies by region, but most commonly, Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to the city of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile following the defeat of the demon Ravana. The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

How is it celebrated?

The word Diwali derives from Sanskrit meaning “to spread light.” In the story of the homecoming of Rama and Sita, they are welcomed with the lighting of lamps called “Diyas”. This led to the festival’s tradition of lighting Diyas, sparklers, and fireworks. Hindus from Northern India begin the celebrations on the eve of Diwali by shopping for gifts and clothes for friends and family. In the South of India, Hindus will take a ceremonial bath before going to the temple to offer prayers, followed by a feast with their families at home.

On the first day of Diwali, Hindus will clean their homes and light a Diya next to religious images of Lakshmi or Ganesh. Homes will be decorated with Rangolis, lights and lanterns.

Day 2 is an important day for buying festive meals and especially sweets.

The event peaks on day 3, which is also the final day of Ashwin's or Kartik's dark fortnight. This day is known as the "festival of lights," because Hindu, Jain, and Sikh temples and residences are illuminated with lights. On this day, the younger family members pay visits to their elders, including grandparents and other older people. As night falls, attendees will don their finest attire or brand-new garments, with women wearing saris and jewels. Families get together at dusk for the Lakshmi Pujan, although other deities like Ganesha, Saraswati, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, or Kubera will also get prayers.

Hindus celebrate day 4 with Annakut, which translates to "mountain of food". After preparing over a hundred dishes using a range of ingredients, the community dedicates them to Krishna and then shares them with one another. On this day, devotees who have assembled for Darshan are given "mountains of sweets" by Hindu temples.

On Day 5, the women of the family gather and perform a puja with prayers for the well-being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of feeding their brothers with their hands and receiving gifts.

Note that different regions of India and Hindu diaspora communities have their own specific traditions that they partake in alongside or in addition to those mentioned above.