Why is Diwali celebrated? The stories behind the festival of lights

Rows of lamps, rangoli, sweets and the warmth of family — Deepavali is India's biggest and most loved festival. "Deepavali" means "a row of lamps". But there is not one answer to why Diwali is celebrated but many — different regions and faiths have their own stories linked with it, and all carry one message: the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

When is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali falls on the new moon (amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually comes in October or November. According to the panchang, in 2026 Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) is on Sunday, 8 November. Check the local puja timings in your region's panchang. Diwali is really a five-day celebration:

The stories behind Diwali

• Rama's return to Ayodhya: in the tradition of the Ramayana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after fourteen years of exile and his victory over Ravana. The people of Ayodhya lit up the whole city with lamps to welcome him. In north India this is the best-known story of Diwali.
• Lakshmi Puja: it is believed that the goddess Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the ocean (samudra manthan) at this time. So on Diwali night Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, are worshipped, homes are cleaned and rangoli is drawn at the door.
• The defeat of Narakasura: in south India, Deepavali is linked with Lord Krishna's slaying of the tyrant Narakasura. There the festival is celebrated with an oil bath on the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi.
• Kali Puja: in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam, the goddess Kali is worshipped on the night of this new moon.

Did you know? Diwali is not only a Hindu festival. In Jainism the same day marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, and Sikhs celebrate it as "Bandi Chhor Divas" — when Guru Hargobind Sahib was released from Gwalior Fort, taking 52 kings with him.

Diwali in different traditions

• Jainism: by tradition, Lord Mahavira attained nirvana on this day in 527 BCE at Pawapuri (Bihar). The Jain community lights lamps to celebrate the light of knowledge.
• Sikhism: the Golden Temple in Amritsar is specially lit up, with fireworks, on Diwali.
• Arya Samaj: Swami Dayanand Saraswati, the founder of the Arya Samaj, died on Diwali day in 1883; the Arya Samaj also remembers the day as his nirvana day.
• Traders: many traders in Gujarat and Rajasthan worship new account books ("Chopda Pujan") on Diwali and treat it as the start of a new financial year.

Celebrating Diwali — responsibly

Cleaning the home, lamps, rangoli and sweets are the heart of the festival. Buying clay diyas helps local potters. Firecrackers add to air and noise pollution, which hits children, the elderly and animals hardest; even where they are allowed, low-pollution "green crackers" and less noise are better choices. The true meaning of Diwali is sweetness in relationships and sharing joy with those in need.

Read more about India's culture and festivals in Interesting facts about Indian culture.

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