1. Diwali Festival of Lights
Diwali derived from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali”
Deepa means light
Avali means a row
Diwali = Deepavali means a row of lights

2. Diwali is celebrated in the months of October/November on the
Diwali is celebrated in the months of October/November on the darkest night (Amavasya) of this period.
Hindus in India and across the globe celebrate Diwali.
Diwali celebrations can last up to five days. Each region of the country celebrates the triumph of good over evil in a uniquely regional way.

3. Celebrations Include Lighting of Diyas or earthen lamps
in every corner of homes.
Decoration of homes in multi-colored
and floral design (Rangoli).
Visits to the temples and offerings to Lakshmi,
the Goddess of spiritual and material prosperity

4. Celebrations Include Purchase of new Clothes Fireworks
Exchange of sweets with
friends and neighbors.
Fireworks

5. Significance of Diwali
Diwali is based on spirituality, beliefs, myths and legends of the triumph of good over evil.
Illumination of the diyas symbolizes the removal of
spiritual darkness and the onset of wisdom or light.
In Northern India, Diwali is a celebration of the welcome given to Lord Rama. In the great Hindu epic, Ramayana, his subjects welcome him after
14 years of exile from his kingdom. Lord Rama destroys the evil ruler of Lanka, Ravan, during
his exile.
Diwali is also the start of the new year for Hindus in the northern regions of India.

6. The triumph of good over evil
Lord Krishna destroying the evil demon Narakasura for abducting the females of the community.
In Southern India, Diwali is
celebrated for the triumph of
Lord Vishnu over Hiranyakashapu,
an evil and unjust king.

7. Lighting a Lamp Lamps are lit for daily worship, rituals and festivals
Symbolizes KNOWLEDGE, as opposed to darkness or ignorance
Knowledge is lasting INNER wealth – A lamp is lit to bow to knowledge as the greatest form of wealth
God is “Knowledge Principle”, the source of all knowledge; thus light is worshipped as the Lord Himself
Oil or ghee in lamp – our “vasanas” or negative tendencies
Wick – the ego

8. When lit by spiritual knowledge, the “vasanas’ get slowly exhausted, and the ego too finally perishes
Flame burns upwards
Similarly, acquiring knowledge takes us towards higher ideals
A single lamp can light hundreds of lamps
Similarly a man of knowledge can share knowledge with others without diminishing his own knowledge