Diwali or Deepavali is the festival of lights. Diwali or Deepawali means “series of lights”. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of dark fortnight of Kartik month in Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls between mid-October and mid-November.
It spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival also called Diwali to mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal Empire prison, and Newar Buddhists, unlike the majority of Buddhists, celebrate Diwali by worshipping Lakshmi.