| Diwali (or Dipawali, often spelt Deepavali) is a | | | | respectable festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, |
| respectable festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, | | | | and Jainism, and an formalised holiday in India. |
| and Jainism, and an formalised holiday in India. | | | | Disciples of these religions celebrate Diwali as the |
| Disciples of these religions celebrate Diwali as the | | | | Festival of Lights. They illuminate diyas—cotton |
| Festival of Lights. They illuminate diyas—cotton | | | | strand wicks infixed in tiny mud pots loaded with |
| strand wicks infixed in tiny mud pots loaded with | | | | oil—to signify victory of good over the bad inside |
| oil—to signify victory of good over the bad inside | | | | an individual. |
| an individual. | | | | As per Hindu calendar, the five day fete of Diwali is |
| As per Hindu calendar, the five day fete of Diwali is | | | | centered on the new moon day that stops the |
| centered on the new moon day that stops the | | | | month of Ashwin and begins the month of Kartika, |
| month of Ashwin and begins the month of Kartika, | | | | starting on the 13th day of the black half of Ashwin |
| starting on the 13th day of the black half of Ashwin | | | | (Ashwin 28th) and ceasing along the second day of |
| (Ashwin 28th) and ceasing along the second day of | | | | the bright half of Kartika (Kartika 2nd). The big day |
| the bright half of Kartika (Kartika 2nd). The big day | | | | of jubilation changes regionally. |
| of jubilation changes regionally. | | | | In Hinduism, across many regions of India and Nepal, |
| In Hinduism, across many regions of India and Nepal, | | | | it is the return of Rama after a 14-year exile in the |
| it is the return of Rama after a 14-year exile in the | | | | forest and his victory all over the Ravana. In the |
| forest and his victory all over the Ravana. In the | | | | fable, the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his |
| fable, the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his | | | | kingdom) received Rama by lighting rows (avali) of |
| kingdom) received Rama by lighting rows (avali) of | | | | lamps (d?pa), therefore its name: dipawali. All Over |
| lamps (d?pa), therefore its name: dipawali. All Over | | | | time, this word changed into Diwali in Hindi and |
| time, this word changed into Diwali in Hindi and | | | | Dipawali in Nepali, but yet retained its original form in |
| Dipawali in Nepali, but yet retained its original form in | | | | South and East Indian Languages. |
| South and East Indian Languages. | | | | In Jainism, Diwali marks the acquirement of nirvana |
| In Jainism, Diwali marks the acquirement of nirvana | | | | by Mahavira on 15 October, 527 BC. |
| by Mahavira on 15 October, 527 BC. | | | | Diwali has existing remarkable in Sikhism since the |
| Diwali has existing remarkable in Sikhism since the | | | | illumination of the town of Amritsar marking the |
| illumination of the town of Amritsar marking the | | | | return of Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644), the sixth |
| return of Guru Har Gobind Ji (1595-1644), the sixth | | | | Guru of Sikhism, who was imprisoned along with 56 |
| Guru of Sikhism, who was imprisoned along with 56 | | | | other Hindu kings at Fort Gwalior by Emperor |
| other Hindu kings at Fort Gwalior by Emperor | | | | Jahangir. After freeing the other prisoners, he went |
| Jahangir. After freeing the other prisoners, he went | | | | to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the blessed |
| to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the blessed | | | | city of Amritsar, where he was received happily by |
| city of Amritsar, where he was received happily by | | | | the masses who lit wax lights and divas to greet the |
| the masses who lit wax lights and divas to greet the | | | | Guru. Because of this, Sikhs oftentimes refer to |
| Guru. Because of this, Sikhs oftentimes refer to | | | | Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - "the day of |
| Diwali also as Bandi Chhorh Divas - "the day of | | | | release of detainees." |
| release of detainees." | | | | The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal, a |
| The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists in Nepal, a | | | | majority-Hindu state, especially the Newar Buddhists. |
| majority-Hindu state, especially the Newar Buddhists. | | | | In India and Nepal, Diwali is now taken to be a |
| In India and Nepal, Diwali is now taken to be a | | | | national fete, and the aesthetic prospect of the fete |
| national fete, and the aesthetic prospect of the fete | | | | is loved by most Indians and Nepalese regardless of |
| is loved by most Indians and Nepalese regardless of | | | | religion. |
| religion.[5] | | | | On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes and |
| On the day of Diwali, many wear new clothes and | | | | share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian |
| share sweets and snacks. Some North Indian | | | | business organisation communities begin their fiscal |
| business organisation communities begin their fiscal | | | | year on Diwali and new report books are opened on |
| year on Diwali and new report books are opened on | | | | this day. |
| this day.Diwali (or Dipawali, often spelt Deepavali) is a | | | | |