Diwali also known as Deepavali and the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu
festival celebrated in autumn every year. The festival spiritually signifies the victory
of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over
despair. The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period,
but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the
Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between
mid-October and mid-November.
Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit fusion word Dīpāvali, formed from dīpa (
, "light"
or "lamp) and āvalī (
, "series, line, row). Dīpāvali or Deepavalli thus meant a
"row" or "series of lights". Its celebration include millions of lights shining on
housetops, outside doors and windows, around temples and other buildings in the
communities and countries where it is observed.
On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas
(lamps and candles) inside and outside their home, participate in family puja typically
to Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and prosperity. After puja (prayers), fireworks
follow, then a family feast including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts
between family members and close friends. Diwali also marks a major shopping
period in nations where it is celebrated.
On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival of lights to
mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor
Divas.
Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana,
Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.
Diwali greetings and prayers
This is how people wish each other Happy Diwali in different Languages:

"Shubha Deepawali"

"Shubh Diwali" / Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (
Hindi

Diwali Mubarak (

Shubh Diwali / Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (
: Greeting in Nepali, Hindi and Sanskrit.
): Greeting in
): Greeting in Gujarati
/
): Greeting in Marathi

Deepavali Nalvazhthukal (

Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (


Deepavali Aashamsagal (
Malayalam.
Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (

in Kannada
Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (
) :Greeting in Tamil
) :Greeting in Telugu
): Greeting in
): Greeting
): Greeting in Punjabi



Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha (
in Bengali
Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (
"Happy Diwali!" :Greeting in English
ও
) :Greeting
) :Greeting in Oriya
Prayers
The prayers vary widely by region of India. An example vedic prayer from
Brhadaranyaka Upanishad celebrating lights is:
Asato ma sat gamaya | (
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (
Mrityu ma amrutam gamaya | (
Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ
Translation:
From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace
।)
।)
।)
॥)