Diwali is widely known in English as the festival of lights. The name reflects the rows of lamps and candles that brighten homes, temples, streets, and public spaces during the celebration.
The word Deepavali comes from Sanskrit terms commonly explained as dīpa, meaning “lamp” or “light,” and āvali, meaning a row or series. Diwali therefore carries a literal association with a line of lights. Many households place small oil lamps called diyas near entrances, windows, shrines, and courtyards.
Diwali is primarily a Hindu festival, but related observances are also important in Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist traditions. Its meanings vary by region and community, including the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Hindu celebrations often include Lakshmi worship, feasting, gift-giving, rangoli designs, and fireworks.
The festival does not fall on one fixed Gregorian date. It is tied to the Hindu lunisolar calendar and generally occurs between mid-October and mid-November, with regional differences in the sequence and length of celebrations.