Diwali

Diwali, or Deepavali, the 'Festival of Lights', is one of the most significant and radiant festivals celebrated across India and by the Indian diaspora worldwide. Its name, derived from the Sanskrit 'Deepavali', literally means "row of lighted lamps." This imagery is the very essence of the festival, where countless 'diyas' (earthen lamps) flicker against the dark canvas of the night, each flame a powerful beacon of hope, a universal symbol of the enduring victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

While most famously linked to the Ramayana and the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, Diwali's significance is multifaceted. For many, it is intrinsically linked to **Lakshmi Puja**, a day of worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth and prosperity. Homes are cleaned and illuminated to welcome her blessings for the coming year. In Jainism, Diwali marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira's attainment of moksha (liberation), while in Sikhism, it is celebrated as 'Bandi Chhor Divas', commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind from prison. At its core, Diwali is a profound celebration of homecoming, righteousness, new beginnings, and the definitive dispelling of all that is dark and malevolent from human life.