Facts for Kids

Diwali follows a lunar calendar that links to the moon, so its date moves each year. It most often falls between mid-September and mid-November, usually in October or November. The festival centers on a new moon night called amāvasyā, when the sky is darkest and the lights show up best.

The whole festival usually begins with Dhanteras, two days before the main day, and continues for about five or six days. The third day is the brightest and the one many countries treat as an official holiday. In Nepal, the same festival is called Tihar or Swanti and has its own special days and customs.

People have celebrated Diwali in many parts of India for a very long time. Archaeologists and historians find old stone and metal writings called inscriptions from the 10th to the 13th centuries that mention Dipavali or Dipotsava. One 10th-century record from the Rashtrakuta kingdom notes a festival of lamps, and later records call Diwali a sacred occasion.

Other old writings show people gave oil for lamps and held plays or ceremonies on Diwali. These records tell us the festival has changed and grown over many years, with each community adding its own customs.

The name Dipavali comes from two older words. The first, dīpa, means a little lamp or light. The second, āvali, means a row or line. Put together, Dipavali means a row of lamps — which is exactly what you see when homes and streets glow with many lights during the festival.

Long ago, when people used oil lamps, they set them in lines along pathways and doorways. Today you might see electric lights instead, but the idea is the same: many lights placed together to welcome good things and chase away darkness.

Diwali is a bright, happy festival of lights that many people celebrate in India and around the world. It stands for the victory of good over evil, and of light over darkness. Families clean and decorate their homes, light small oil lamps and candles, and enjoy colorful floor art called rangoli. The festival usually lasts five or six days, with one main day when most people visit temples, give gifts, and share special foods.

People from different religions take part in Diwali in their own ways. For example, some tell the story of Rama’s return to his home, others honor the goddess Lakshmi, and some groups mark important events in their own histories.

Rama's return to his kingdom is one big story behind Diwali. People light lamps to welcome goodness and to celebrate right coming back after a long journey. Many families do prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and care for the home, and to Ganesha, who helps remove problems. These prayers are usually done at home with small lamps, sweets, and flowers.

For other groups, Diwali has its own meaning. Jains remember Mahavira's peaceful release called nirvana and light lamps in his memory. Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas, the day a guru returned to his people, and visit the Golden Temple. Some Newar Buddhists in Nepal also join the lights and share offerings. All these practices use light and kindness to welcome a fresh start.

Dhanteras begins Diwali time for many people. Families clean the house, buy something new, and decorate doorways with rangoli—bright patterns made from colored rice or flower petals. Small oil lamps called diyas are placed at doors and windows so the house looks warm and welcoming. In the evening, people offer sweets and simple foods to Lakshmi and Ganesha and say short prayers for health and luck.

The night called Naraka Chaturdashi (or Chhoti Diwali) often includes early morning baths and special treats. Some homes light a tiny lamp called Yama Deepam at the back of the house to remember family safety. During these days, friends visit, gifts are shared, and many kinds of sweets and snacks are made to enjoy together.

The day after Diwali has many names and many happy traditions. On Annakut (which means 'mountain of food') people make lots of different dishes and offer them to the gods, especially Krishna, and then share the food with neighbors. In some places the food is shaped into a small hill to remember the story of Govardhan Puja, when Krishna lifted a mountain to protect villagers from a big storm.

Another custom is Bhai Duj, a special sister-and-brother day. Sisters welcome brothers with a mark on the forehead, feed them, and pray for their safety; brothers give gifts. Many workers and craftsmen also honor their tools and machines on Vishwakarma puja, tidying workplaces and saying thanks for the tools that help them work.