Diwali (also known as Deepavali) is an ancient Hindu festival celebrating the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. While multiple faiths celebrate the festival for different reasons, one of the most popular legends is the return from exile of Lord Rama and his wife Sita after defeating the demon king Ravanna through lighting rows of lamps. Diwali also coincides with the Hindu New Year.
This year, the holiday begins on November 11. Although Diwali celebrations usually last for five days, the main festival night falls on the third night and on a new moon, so the festival of light can take place against the backdrop of a fully dark night.
Celebrations before Diwali include preparing living spaces and offices by cleaning and decorating them. Other Diwali celebrations include participants dressing in their best clothes, lighting festive lanterns and clay lamps, offering prayers for wealth and success, setting off brilliant fireworks displays, decorating their floors with artistic rice, sand, or flour patterns called rangoli, and feasting and sharing gifts with their families.
On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to mark the attainment of moksha (liberation and self-realization) by Mahavira (the last tirthankara or teacher of dharma), and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas (when Gwalior of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes were released from prison).
Learn more about our Cooperation Circles, many of whom are celebrating Diwali with their Hindu, Sikh, and Jain friends.
Share wishes for a happy Diwali from the URI community.