Diwali

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is a Hindu celebration also known as the festival of lights. It celebrates light defeating dark and good defeating evil. Diwali is a happy celebration that is the most important holiday of the year in India and is a public holiday there and in many other parts of the world.

It is celebrated on the new moon night of the month of Kartik on the Hindu calendar. This is significant because it is the darkest night of the month. Diwali is all about banishing darkness with light, so this day of darkness becomes a day of light, lit up with candles, lanterns, and fireworks. Celebrations often last for five days beginning two days before Diwali and ending two days after. This period is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts, so people will often clean and decorate their houses as part of the celebration. Shopping is also a tradition in countries that celebrate Diwali publically. Sales are widespread, so people often shop for many items including gifts, as gift giving is another important tradition. The religious and spiritual significance of Diwali varies based on location and belief system, but the symbolism is the same celebration of victory of light, good, knowledge, hope and happiness.