Ayodhya glows with 30 lakh diyas as Deepotsav lights up Saryu ghats on Diwali eve

The Festival of Lights, known as Deepavali or Diwali, is a widely celebrated event in India. However, the proper term for this festival is Deepavali, used by both North and South Indian traditions. Deepavali marks the victory of good over evil and the triumph of righteousness.

In South Indian traditions, Deepavali is observed on the fourteenth lunar day of the waning moon in the Aippasi month of the Tamil calendar. It commemorates the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna and his consort Satyabhama. North Indian traditions celebrate Deepavali as the homecoming of Lord Rama and his queen Sita after defeating the demon Ravana. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on this day in both regions, symbolizing the seeking of wealth and prosperity.

The term Deepavali is derived from the Sanskrit word Dipavali, meaning a row of lights, with dipa referring to a lamp and avali meaning a row or line. Although the festival is commonly referred to as Diwali in North India, Deepavali is the more accurate term, as it is formally recognized in the Holidays Act 1951. Celebrations can last for one or five days, with varying customs and traditions between regions and communities.

Regardless of the name, the spirit of the festival remains the same - celebrating the triumph of good over evil and the importance of light in our lives.