Deepavali or Diwali means "a row of lights". Today it is celebrated
by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light",
where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil
within every human being.
Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the
last harvest of the year before winter. The deity of wealth in
Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day. In Bengal
the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also
commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama
returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.
Throughout India, this is also a night of fireworks, with youth
burning sparklers and crackers throughout the night.
