Divali or Diwali (Feast of Lanterns) is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is held for five days on the last days of the dark quarter of the moon (calculated as twenty days after the new moon) in the month of October or November. It is a form of Indian harvest festival - Hindus giving thanks for the harvest - marking the end of the monsoon season and the opening of the commercial year and tribute - known as Lakshmi Puja - is paid in honour of Lakshmi the goddess of wealth, including making offerings of turmeric and vermilion to the house broom. The third day is the main day of Diwali and is celebrated as the 'Festival of Lights' when people light diyas and candles all around their house - so as to light up the path of the goddess Lakshmi. It is also important to Hindus to clean their house during Divali, as the goddess Lakshmi adores cleanliness and the broom is sacred to her. During Divali Hindus exchange presents with their loved ones and celebrate their joy, exploding fireworks at night. Research Divali
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Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Mythology
Research Divali
