About Diwali:
- Diwali, which is the festival of lights, stands for the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and falls on the day of ‘amavasya’ or new moon in the Hindu month of Kartik.
- It usually falls in mid-October and mid-November on Kartik Amavasya.
- The festival is extended over five days, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj.
History and Significance:
- According to Hindu mythology, the legends associate Diwali with Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya with his wife, Mata Sita, and brother, Lakshman, after spending 14 years in exile and defeating the King of Lanka, Ravan.
- People of Ayodhya marked the occasion by lighting rows of lamps and diyas.
- The tradition has continued to date and is celebrated as the festival of Diwali.
Regional Variations:
- In Chennai and Tamil Nadu, people observe Narak Chaturdashi.
- In West Bengal, devotees worship Goddess Kali rather than Goddess Lakshmi on the third day of Diwali.
Source : Hindustan Times
Last updated on January, 2026
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