Happy Diwali!

Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It is regarded as India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival is named after the Sanskrit term deepavali, translating as “row of lights”. To celebrate light over darkness, diyas (clay lamps filled with oil) are lit and placed in rows in the front and back of homes to welcome wealth and success.

The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November).

In 2021, Day 1 of Diwali festivities was on November 2. Lakshmi Puja is considered to be the main festive day, which is the third day of Diwali festivities, and this year falls on November 4.

Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Despite the multiple interpretations of the Diwali story, the common thread among them is the victory of good over evil.