Millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains celebrate Diwali, a five-day festival of lights that represents fresh starts, the victory of light over darkness, and good over evil. It also coincides, for some, with harvest and new year celebrations. The festival takes place on a different date every year, usually in October or November. Diwali falls on November 10–14 in 2023, with Sunday, November 12, serving as the main festival day.

For Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, the many festivities have their origins in unique historical occurrences and tales. Hindus celebrate the day the Mother Goddess Durga slew the monster Mahisha and the return of the gods Rama and Sita to Ayodhya following their 14-year banishment. The foundation stone of the Golden Temple was laid on Diwali in 1577, indicating that although Sikhs celebrate the release of the sixth guru, Hargobind Singh, in 1619, the festival was observed earlier. Jains commemorate Diwali in remembrance of Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Moksha, also known as nirvana or eternal pleasure.

Among the customs associated with Diwali are adorning dwellings with colorful rangoli patterns, lighting diyas or candles, cleaning the house, and buying lucky gold or silver objects. People visit friends and family for gift exchanges, celebrations, and indulging in delicious delights like jalebi, kaju katli, gulab jamun, and burfi. Fireworks and sparklers light up the festivities.