Diwali 2017: What is the Hindu festival of lights, when is it this year and what are its origins?

What is Diwali?

Girls give finishing touches to a Rangoli in Ahmedabad, India (Ajit Solanki/AP)

Diwali, more popularly known as the “festival of lights”, is an ancient Hindu festival that takes place during autumn or the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar.

Celebrated mainly in India, and by Hindus around the world, the festival marks the triumph of “light over darkness” – signifying the victory of good over evil. The light is also a metaphorical representation of knowledge, enlightenment and hope.

To some Hindus, the festival is also known as Deepavali, which in Sanskrit means a “row of lamps”.

How long are the festivities?

A woman holding a tray filled with earthen lamps during Diwali celebrations in Allahabad, India (Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP)

Diwali takes place typically over five days – that includes the build-up, preparations and different types of rituals.

But the main event is on the new moon night – which is decided by the Hindu lunar calendar. To put it in context of the Gregorian calendar, it generally falls between mid-October and mid-November. The first day of the festival is known as Dhanteras and is widely regarded as an auspicious day to buy gold.

When is Diwali this year?

This year, it falls on Thursday, October 19 (tomorrow).

What’s the story behind Diwali?

Indian potters rush to give finishing touches to the earthen lamps ahead of Diwali in Allahabad, India (Rajesh Kumar Singh/AP)

The festival dates back to the ancient times in India and was known to be the main religious celebration after the summer harvest.

One of the most popular stories is the legend of lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in the capital city of Ayodhya (in northern India) from exile, after defeating demon king Ravanna in Sri Lanka. Their story is told in the ancient Sanskrit epic “The Ramayana” where the couple come home to be welcomed by glowing clay lamps in honour of their safe return.

What happens during Diwali?

An Indian man lights lamps at Akshardham temple in Gandhinagar, India (Ajit Solanki/AP)

It is widely believed that, Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, good fortune and prosperity, pays a visit to Hindu homes during Diwali, guided by the “diyas” or terracotta lamps.

According to the ancient Hindu scriptures, Lakshmi wanders the earth on this day looking for the perfect home and devotees strive keep their rooms pristine on this day. A new broom is often purchased and at midnight it is used to sweep the floors, signifying that poverty is being driven out.

How is it celebrated?

Children celebrating Diwali with fireworks in Jammu, India (Channi Anand/AP)

With oil lamps, fireworks, new clothes, gifts, sweets and of course, traditional vegetarian fare!

To celebrate, houses are decorated with candles and colourful lights and huge firework displays are held while families feast and share gifts.

Paper lanterns and lamps on roadside stalls ahead of Diwali in Mumbai, India (Rafiq Maqbool/AP)

Those blessed with the artistic touch make colourful “rangoli” artwork – which are patterns created on the floors using coloured rice or powder. New clothes are also worn at the time of the festival to mark the occasion.

What is eaten during Diwali?

Former PM David Cameron makes an offering of fruit to the Hindu temple Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London (Alastair Grant/AP)

The foods most closely associated with the festival are Indian sweets, as well various rich traditional savoury dishes. While eating out is popular, families will mostly likely whip up a feast at home for friends and family.

But unlike the traditional roast turkey at Christmas, those taking part in Diwali celebrations are likely to have their own favourite meals.

A rangoli pattern to mark the start of Diwali at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Lai Seng Sin/AP)