Diwali is, by most measures, the most widely celebrated Hindu festival anywhere in the world, and its central symbolism is disarmingly simple: rows of diyas, small oil lamps, lit …
Diwali has ancient roots across multiple textual traditions, centrally connected to Rama's return to Ayodhya in the Ramayana, and has developed over many centuries into the most widely celebrated Hindu festival, observed by Hindu communities across virtually every country with a significant diaspora presence.
The festival celebrates light's triumph over darkness and good's triumph over evil, centred on Rama's homecoming to Ayodhya and the invitation of Lakshmi into cleaned, illuminated homes as a blessing of prosperity for the year ahead.
After fourteen years of exile and his decisive victory over Ravana, Rama returned to Ayodhya together with Sita and Lakshmana, and the citizens of the city, overjoyed at his return, lined the streets and lit rows of oil lamps to welcome him home through the darkness — the origin of Diwali's defining lamp-lighting tradition.
Celebrated with broadly similar core rituals nationwide, though regional emphasis varies — Bengal observes Kali Puja on the same main night rather than Lakshmi Puja alone, while Gujarat treats Diwali as the close of the business year, with new account books ceremonially opened the following day.
Homes are deeply cleaned and decorated with diyas, rangoli and lights in the days leading up to the festival; the main night centres on Lakshmi Puja, performed at an auspicious muhurat, followed by fireworks, family gatherings, and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
Lakshmi Puja is performed at a specific, calculated auspicious muhurat on the main Diwali night, involving the ceremonial welcoming of the goddess into a cleaned and illuminated home, followed by aarti and the offering of sweets.
Rows of diyas line doorways, windows and rooftops throughout the five-day period; rangoli patterns decorate entranceways, and homes are strung with lights well beyond the main night itself.
An enormous variety of sweets (mithai) are prepared and exchanged throughout the festival period, with specific regional specialities varying widely across the country.
2026 date: November 8 (Sunday) — Lakshmi Puja / main Diwali night. Part of the five-day sequence: Dhanteras (Nov 6), Naraka Chaturdashi (Nov 7), Diwali (Nov 8), Govardhan Puja (Nov 9), Bhai Dooj (Nov 10).
