Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs. The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.
Diwali is celebrated by multiple faiths. Diwali is celebrated by multiple faiths. Every year around October and November, Hindus around the world celebrate Diwali, or Deepavali—a festival of lights that stretches back more than 2,500 years.
South India celebrate Diwali as the day that Lord Krishna (depicted above) defeated the demon Narakasura. In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama’s return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps.
And all these religions and traditions not only have different deities to pray to on Diwali, they also sometimes have different mythological versions of the same tales.
The prime reason why Diwali is marked by flamboyant decorations, new clothes and flashy displays of colors and lights is because it is widely believed that Diwali is the day on which the Hindu goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi supposedly roams the Earth and blesses people with wealth and happiness.
Another popular belief that signifies the occasion of Diwali for Jainism, India’s sixth largest religion, is that this is the day on which the last of the 24 Thirthankaras (Great Teachers), Lord Mahavira attained ‘Nirvana’.
While most traditions surrounding Diwali go back thousands of years, one of the most recent traditions associated with it is the one in Sikhism. Sikhs celebrate Diwali as the occasion on which their teacher Guru Hargobind Ji was released from the captivity of Mughal ruler Jahangir in Gwalior along with several Hindu kings.
The most popular tradition behind Diwali dictates that it marks the day on which the Hindu deity Lord Ram returned to his home city of Ayodhya after vanquishing the demon king Ravana. According to mythology, lights were lit all across the country to celebrate his return to rule.
In southern parts of India however, Diwali (or Deepavali) is celebrated as the day on which Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura and brought peace to the lands. According to legends, Narakasura repented in his last moments and requested Mother Earth that his death be celebrated with lights and colors across the lands every year. A wish that was gladly granted.
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