Diwali
Also known as: Deepavali · the festival of lights
Rows of lamps on the darkest night of the year — light’s victory over darkness.
Why is Diwali celebrated?
Deepavali means "a row of lamps." It falls on the new-moon night of Kartik — the darkest night of the Hindu year — and answers that darkness with a deliberate act: every home lighting its own lamps. The festival celebrates the return of light, the goddess Lakshmi’s blessing on clean and welcoming homes, and new beginnings for families and businesses alike.
The story behind Diwali
In the Ramayana, Diwali marks the night Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and Lakshmana after fourteen years of exile and victory over Ravana — the city lit thousands of lamps to welcome them home. Jains mark it as the night of Mahavira’s nirvana; Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, Guru Hargobind’s release from prison.
How Diwali is celebrated
The five days run Dhanteras (buying metal and gold), Naraka Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja on the main night — homes cleaned, rangoli drawn, diyas in every window — then Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj. Families exchange sweets and gifts; children get new clothes; businesses open new account books.
Diwali across India
North India centres on Lakshmi Puja and Rama’s return; Bengal worships Kali the same night; in the South, Naraka Chaturdashi with a pre-dawn oil bath is the main day; Gujarat treats the day after as its New Year.
Diwali in housing societies
Societies dress the whole compound in string lights, run a Lakshmi Puja in the common area, arrange a community sweets exchange and often a rangoli competition. The committee collects a Diwali fund per flat and settles the year’s accounts — Zenia’s collection drive, expense-with-bill records and public ledger make that "who paid, what was spent" question answer itself.
Frequently asked questions
Why do we light diyas on Diwali?
Diwali falls on a new-moon night — the year’s darkest. The rows of lamps re-enact Ayodhya welcoming Rama home and stand for knowledge and hope outshining darkness, and for Lakshmi being welcomed into a lit, clean home.
What are the five days of Diwali?
Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali), Lakshmi Puja (the main night), Govardhan Puja / Annakut, and Bhai Dooj — each with its own story and rituals.
What does a society typically spend a Diwali fund on?
Compound lighting, the community puja and prasad, rangoli and decoration material, sweets for staff — with every expense and its bill best published on a ledger residents can check.