The most well-known Indian festival. A 5 day celebration which occurs on the 15 th day of the Hindu month of Kartika. This is during October or November on our calendar.

Diwali means rows of lighted lamps Referred to as the Festival of Lights because of the common practice of lighting small oil lamps called diyas and placing them around the home.

During this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned, windows are opened and diyas are lit as a greeting to Lakshmi. Who is Lakshmi? She is the goddess of wealth.

The celebration means as much to Hindus as Christmas does to Christians. It signifies the renewal of life. It brings in the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season.

Gifts are exchanged. Festive meals are prepared. Sweets are exchanged. New clothes are worn. Huge firework displays.

The festival is celebrated for different reasons. In parts of India they celebrates the goddess Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth In Nepal they celebrate the victory of lord Krishna over the demon king. It signifies good over evil. In northern India it is the story of Rama and Sita. They danced and lit fireworks to show how happy they were with the safe return of the king.

Rama rescued Sita and they decided to go home. As it got dark, the people of the kingdom put out little oil lamps (divas) in their windows to show the way home. It seemed as though there were more lamps than stars in the sky.

A Rangoli is a colourful design drawn on the floor near the entrance to a house to welcome guests.

During Diwali, Hindus draw bright Rangoli patterns on the floor by the front door to encourage the goddess Lakshmi to enter their homes.