What is Diwali?

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated in autumn — typically in October or November — marking the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. For Hindus it celebrates the return of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of the demon king Ravana. For Lakshmi devotees it honours the goddess of wealth and prosperity.

The festival is also deeply significant for Sikhs (who celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind Singh from prison), Jains (who mark the nirvana of Mahavira), and the Newar Buddhist community of Nepal. The name Diwali comes from the Sanskrit dipavali — "row of lights" — and the hallmark tradition is lighting clay oil lamps (diyas) and candles inside and outside homes to guide the return of light.

Diwali is a public holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji, Suriname, and Malaysia. Traditions across the five days include prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, bursting fireworks, preparing sweets (mithai), exchanging gifts, and gambling — the latter seen as auspicious because the goddess Parvati is said to have played dice on this night.