Deepavali
Next: November 8, 2026
A row of lamps against the dark.
The story
Where it comes from
Deepavali (Diwali in North India) means 'row of lamps'. It falls in October or November, with the date depending on regional tradition: northern traditions mark the new moon of Kartika, while South Indian traditions mark Naraka Chaturdasi, the lunar day before the new moon, in the Tamil month of Aippasi. Singapore follows the South Indian tradition when determining the date; the two observances can fall on different calendar days or coincide. The festival celebrates the victory of light over darkness: in the south, Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura; in the north, Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile. It is also kept by Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, each with their own meaning, and is a public holiday in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Fiji, Mauritius and Trinidad.
How it's celebrated
Oil lamps (diyas) and coloured lights line homes and streets; kolam or rangoli patterns are drawn in rice flour at the doorstep; families rise early for an oil bath and prayers, wear new clothes and exchange sweets. In Malaysia and Singapore, Little India is lit for weeks, open houses welcome friends of all faiths, and murukku, laddu and banana-leaf meals are shared. Fireworks are traditional where permitted.
Did you know
- Deepavali is the biggest shopping season of the Indian year; gold sales spike in the days before.
- In Malaysia the festival is called Deepavali, following the Tamil usage of most Malaysian Indians; in North India and much of the diaspora it is Diwali.
- For many business communities in India, Deepavali marks the start of a new financial year, with fresh account books blessed at the Lakshmi puja.
The greeting
Happy Deepavali · தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்
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