India and the diaspora · the date moves each year

Diwali (Deepavali)

The festival of lights — five days, lamps in every window, celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists.

What happened

Deepavali means "a row of lights". Families light clay diya lamps, draw rangoli patterns on the doorstep and share sweets. The stories behind it differ by region and by faith: in much of northern India it marks Rama's return to Ayodhya; in the west it is tied to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity; Sikhs mark Bandi Chhor Divas, the release of Guru Hargobind from prison, on the same day.

Why it stuck

One festival, several religions, several stories, one image: a small light put where the dark is. That is a rare and useful thing to show a child.

What a family can do

Light a small lamp at the door and draw a rangoli in chalk on the step. Ours are at /coloring/diwali.

Questions to work through

1. Deepavali means "row of lights". Count the lamps you would need to line your own doorway.
2. Three faiths keep the same festival for three different reasons. Name them.
3. Draw a rangoli. It must be symmetrical. Why do you think that matters?