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Festival Profile

Diwali

Festival of lights honouring the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, celebrated with lamps, sweets and fireworks.

All festivals

Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his defeat of the demon king Ravana.

Stories behind the festival

Rama's return to Ayodhya

Treta Yuga
After defeating Ravana, Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. The people lit rows of clay lamps (diyas) to welcome them. The night of their return was the new moon of Kartik, and the whole city shone bright.
Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda)

Lakshmi and the wealth tradition

In northern India Diwali honours Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Homes are cleaned and lit to welcome her on the new-moon night.
Regional Puranic / devotional tradition

Why we celebrate

Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his defeat of the demon king Ravana.
Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda); regional Puranic tradition

When

Diwali falls on the amavasya (new moon) of the Hindu month Kartik (October–November), on the 15th day of the dark fortnight.

Since when it is followed

The Rama narrative places the origin in the Treta Yuga (the era of Lord Rama). The lamp-lighting festival has been observed since then; the modern five-day form evolved over centuries.
Valmiki Ramayana (Treta Yuga context); historical festival studies

Who celebrates / for whom

Hindus across India and worldwide, as well as Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. Families light lamps, share sweets and exchange greetings.

Origin

The tradition of lighting lamps on Kartik amavasya is rooted in the Ramayana narrative of Rama's return, combined with regional harvest and wealth traditions. In the north it celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; in the east, Goddess Kali.
Valmiki Ramayana; Skanda/Vishnu Purana references to Kartik deepa

Key deities

Lord Rama and Goddess Sita (northern tradition); Goddess Lakshmi (wealth); Lord Ganesha (auspicious beginnings); Goddess Kali (eastern India).
Regional tradition; Ramayana; Lakshmi Purana

How to celebrate

Clean and decorate the home, light rows of diyas and candles, draw rangoli, perform Lakshmi-Ganesha puja in the evening, burst fireworks, exchange sweets and visit relatives.
Regional smriti / panchang guides

Rituals & offerings

Lakshmi puja at night, offering sweets and coins, lighting diyas, keeping the house lit, and charity in some traditions.
Regional smriti / panchang guides

Key facts

Diwali is a five-day festival beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj.
Panchang / regional tradition
In Jainism Diwali marks the nirvana of Mahavira.
Jain Kalpasutra tradition
In Sikhism it is linked to the release of Guru Hargobind Sahib (Bandi Chhor Divas).
Sikh historical tradition