Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated across India and the world. Often called the “Festival of Lights,” it symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, uniting diverse religious and regional traditions in a five-day celebration of renewal, generosity, and joy.
The name Diwali derives from Sanskrit dīpāvali, meaning “row of lights.” References appear as early as the 3rd century CE in texts like the Kamasutra and Puranas. Over time, it absorbed multiple legends: in northern India, Rama’s return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana; in the south, Krishna’s victory over Narakasura; and elsewhere, Vishnu’s subduing of King Bali. Jains commemorate Mahavira’s enlightenment, Sikhs mark Guru Hargobind’s release from imprisonment (Bandi Chhor Divas), and some Buddhists recall Emperor Ashoka’s conversion.