Diwali or Deepavali

Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in

autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere).
It is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Pakistan, Malaysia,
Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname and Trinidad
and Tobago.
One of the major festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually signifies the victory of
light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope
over despair.
Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside
doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the
communities and countries where it is observed.
The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period,
but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon
night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika in Bikram Sambat calendar.
In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and
mid-November.
Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and
offices.
On Diwali night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light
up diyas (lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in
family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi the goddess of fertility and
prosperity.
After puja, fireworks follow, then a family feast including mithai(sweets),
and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.
Deepavali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is
celebrated.

 Diwali is one of the happiest holidays in India and Nepal with significant
preparations.
People clean their homes and decorate them for the festivities.
Diwali is one of the biggest shopping seasons in India and Nepal; people
buy new clothes for themselves and their families, as well as gifts,
appliances, kitchen utensils, even expensive items such as cars and gold
jewellery.
People also buy gifts for family members and friends which typically
include sweets, dry fruits, and seasonal specialties depending on regional
harvest and customs.
It is also the period when children hear ancient stories, legends about
battles between good and evil or light and darkness from their parents and
elders.
Girls and women go shopping and create rangoli and other creative
patterns on floors, near doors and walkways.
Youth and adults alike help with lighting and preparing
for patakhe(fireworks).
There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Depending
on the region, prayers are offered before one or more deities, with most
common being Lakshmi the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
On Diwali night, fireworks light up the neighborhood skies. Later, family
members and invited friends celebrate the night over food and sweets.
The mythical stories told for Diwali vary regionally and within the traditions
of Hinduism.
Yet, they all point to joy and the celebration of Diwali with lights to be a
reminder of the importance of knowledge, self inquiry, self-improvement,
knowing and seeking the good and the right path.
It is a metaphor for resisting evil, for dispelling darkness and for
compassion to others.

 Diwali is the celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness, of

knowledge over ignorance and right over wrong.
It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that the good ultimately
triumphs over evil.