Deepavali: The Festival of Lights

Deepavali, also called Diwali, is traditionally celebrated for five days. It begins on the 13th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Kartika (mid-October through mid-November). Deepavali (deep means "light," and avali means "a row") is celebrated by Indians on a grand scale as a festival of lights, signifying the advent of joy and happiness in India and all over the world. When darkness unfolds at dusk during this festival, one can see a spectacular illumination produced by tiny flickering earthenware lamps (in certain areas, earthenware lamps have been replaced by candles, oil lamps or electric lights) adorning rows of homes, buildings and streets in every town and village. Both young and old enthusiastically set off multicolored firecrackers.