Hindu festival
Diwali
Also known as Deepavali, the Festival of Lights.
Why is Diwali celebrated?
In short
Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Most widely, it marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his defeat of the demon king Ravana, when the people lit rows of lamps to welcome their king home.
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Diwali at a glance
- Diwali 2026
- Saturday, 7 November 2026in 58 days
- Tithi / rule
- Amavasya (new moon) of the month of Kartik, with Lakshmi Puja performed during pradosh kaal (early evening)
- Calendar
- Lunar calendar (tithi-based)
- Deity
- Lakshmi
- Significance
- The triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
- Region
- Celebrated across India and by Hindus worldwide; Rama's homecoming dominates the North.
Diwali is a five-day festival; the main night (Lakshmi Puja) falls on the Kartik Amavasya. Because the puja is tied to the evening pradosh window, the observed day is chosen by when the Amavasya prevails at dusk.
The story of Diwali
The best-loved story of Diwali is told in the Valmiki Ramayana. Rama, the beloved prince of Ayodhya, was sent into exile in the forest for fourteen years so that a promise made by his father could be honoured. His wife Sita and his devoted brother Lakshmana chose to go with him, unwilling to let him face the wilderness alone.
In the forest, the demon king Ravana of Lanka carried Sita away by trickery. Rama's long search for her led him to Hanuman and the great army of vanaras, the forest-dwellers, who helped him build a bridge across the sea to Lanka. There, after a fierce and terrible war, Rama defeated Ravana and freed Sita. The victory is remembered as the triumph of dharma, righteousness, over cruelty and pride.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli and rows of diyas, Lakshmi (with Ganesha) is worshipped in the evening, families exchange sweets and gifts, and lamps are lit to welcome abundance and light.
Characters in the story
A mantra to mark the day
ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः
oṃ śrīṃ mahālakṣmyai namaḥ
I bow to Mahalakshmi, giver of abundance, grace, and well-being.
More Hindu festivals
About Diwali
Why is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The most widely told reason, from the Valmiki Ramayana, is Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his defeat of the demon king Ravana. Other regions honour Krishna's victory over Narakasura or the goddess Lakshmi's blessings.
What is the story of Diwali?
In the best-known account from the Valmiki Ramayana, Prince Rama is exiled for fourteen years, his wife Sita is abducted by the demon king Ravana, and Rama defeats him to bring her home. When Rama reached Ayodhya on a moonless night, the people lit rows of lamps to welcome him.
How is Diwali celebrated?
People clean and decorate their homes, draw colourful rangoli at their doorways, and light rows of oil lamps and candles. Families gather to worship the goddess Lakshmi, share sweets and gifts, wear new clothes, and set off fireworks. The lamps welcome prosperity and mark the return of light after darkness.
Who is worshipped on Diwali?
The main night of Diwali is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, grace and abundance, who is believed to enter clean and well-lit homes. Many families also worship Ganesha for wisdom and auspicious beginnings, while in some traditions Rama, Krishna or the goddess Kali are honoured during the festival.
Why is Diwali called the festival of lights?
The name Diwali comes from deepavali, meaning a row of lamps. It recalls the oil lamps the people of Ayodhya lit to guide Rama home on the darkest, moonless night. Lighting lamps expresses the festival's central meaning: the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali falls in the Hindu month of Kartika, usually in October or November, on the new-moon night, which is the darkest night of the month. The exact dates shift each year with the lunar calendar. The main Lakshmi Puja day is preceded and followed by several connected festival days.
How many days is Diwali?
Diwali is usually celebrated over five days. It begins with Dhanteras, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, then the main Lakshmi Puja night, then Govardhan Puja or Bali Pratipada, and ends with Bhai Dooj, which honours the bond between brothers and sisters.
What does Diwali symbolize?
Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Its many stories, from Rama's homecoming to Krishna's defeat of Narakasura and Lakshmi's blessings, all carry the same message: that righteousness endures, hope returns after hardship, and loved ones find their way home.
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