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Deepavali

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Published 2026-07-15 · region: pan-Hindu · Saath Wikifestival

Overview

Festival of lights, observed on the lunar Kartik Amavasya, with distinct regional forms including Kali Puja in Bengal, Lakshmi Puja, and a five-day cluster (Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj) in the north and west.

Calendar timing

Oct-Nov (Lunar (Kartik Amavasya))

  • 2026 · 2026-11-07 (scholar-2026-06-23)

Stories & history

Lights for return and victory over evilwidely told

Diwali recalls Ram, Sita and Laxman's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, and completing fourteen years in exile

Return of goodness and fall of oppressive forcessome traditions

Some traditions also recall Krishna's slaying of Narakasura

Symbolism & meaning

Core symbolism
Festival of lights (Deepavali = 'row of lamps').
Meaning
Rows of lamps greet the returning good, and lighting the way for justice. Cleaning of house emphasizes inner clearing of wrongs.

Regional variants — all communities (wiki aggregates)

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  • pan-HinduBengal observes Kali Puja on the same night rather than (or alongside) Lakshmi Puja observed elsewhere.
  • pan-HinduNorth and west India observe a five-day cluster from Dhanteras through Bhai Dooj; other regions do not necessarily follow the same multi-day structure.
  • pan-HinduSikh tradition observes Bandi Chhor Divas on the same date; this is an adjacent but distinct tradition, not a Hindu variant, and is out of this catalogue's Hindu-tradition scope per spec section 2.3 unless drafted as its own entry under the Sikh tradition marker.

Procedure

  1. Days before Diwali clean home, and discard clutter
  2. Exchange sweets and small gifts with neighbours and relatives
  3. Decorate home, draw rangoli at entrance, and light rows of diyas
  4. Perform Ganesh and Laxmi puja with family
  5. Light fireworks safely
  6. Visit shop/business, local temple and continue lighting diyas

Materials needed

  • Images or murtis of Ganesh and Laxmi
  • Oil or ghee diyas and wax candles
  • Rangoli colours
  • Flower petals
  • Sparklers and firecrackers

Family participation

  • Lights the first diya — Father

Keep reading

Image: Unsplash/Pexels/Pixabay: No (recommended). Wikimedia/Google-CC: Yes (CC-BY-SA: name photographer + link).

From the Saath Wiki — aggregated across communities, with regional attribution. Suggest an edit to improve your community's practice.