Diwali, also known as Dipawali or the festival of lights, is Indias biggest and most important holiday of the year. It is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika, which generally fall between mid-September and mid-November. The festival gets its name from the row of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. The holiday celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists, although for each faith it marks different historical events and stories. During the festival, lamps are lit in streets and in houses to signify light overcoming darkness, and fireworks are also lit as part of many celebrations. The festival is associated with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. It is customarily celebrated for five days, and it is a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora.

Diwali is a time for families and friends to come together, exchange gifts and sweets, and celebrate another year of success and wish everyone for a future year of prosperity, peace, penance, perseverance, and patience. It is also a major shopping period in India, and is comparable to the Christmas period in terms of consumer purchases and economic activity. The main day of the festival of Diwali (the day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in many countries, including India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.