Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. It is popularly known as the festival of lights. The festival gets its name from deepa (lamp/light) and aavali (row), as rows of lamps are lit to invite Sri Lakshmi, the Deity of wealth. The tradition dates to more than 2500 years.

In Northern India, this festival celebrates the return of Sri Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana to the city of Ayodhya after their 14-year exile and victory over the ten-headed demon Ravana.  Ravana is the personification of evil. Sri Rama then begins a ten-thousand-year rule of righteousness. In the South, the significance differs. There, Deepavali marks the day Bhagavan Vishnu sent the demon king Narakasura to the nether world. Sikhs celebrate Diwali for the release of Guru Hargobind Singh. For Jains, this is the day Saint Mahavira attained Nirvana (eternal liberation).

Diwali is celebrated over five days, from the 13th day of the lunar month Aashwina to the 2nd day of Kaartika (September – November). On the first day, homes are cleaned and decorated. This is the day of Dhanteras when people purchase gold, silver, or new utensils. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. Homes are decorated with lighted clay lamps. Patterns using colored powers (rangoli) are created on the floor. The third day is the main festival. New clothes are worn, and families gather to offer prayers to Sri Lakshmi. Family members formally greet (do Namaskaram to) elders, who take pleasure in blessing all that are present. Feasts of delicious desserts are essential parts of the celebration. Youngsters take joy in setting off extravagant fireworks. Many enthusiasts engage in gambling, presumably to entice the grace of Sri Lakshmi. The fourth day is Govardhana (Krishna) Puja. This commemorates the day when Sri Krishna lifted the mountain of the same name to save his devotees. The fifth day is Bhai Dooj. Brothers visit the homes of sisters and exchange gifts. Sisters pray for the long life of brothers.

Diwali also coincides with harvest and New Year celebrations in some states.

• In some regions of India, they purchase gold, silver, or cloth. 
• On the second day, Naraka Chaturti, family members clean the house and take an “oil bath.” 
• The third day marks the worship of Sri Lakshmi. 
• The fourth day is Govardhana puja.  
• Lamps are lighted inside and outside the house on all four days. 

Activity for kids 

Parents or elders may have the children in the family participate in the celebrations in many ways:

• Have the kids respectfully greet the elders of the family and get their blessings.
• Create rangoli in a group activity.
• Light evening lamps with parents.
• Read stories of Sri Krishna and Sri Rama out loud for everyone to hear.
• Take the kids to shop for clothes, sweets, gifts, and puja items.
• Have the children help with cooking specialty delicacies for the festival