Diwali, also called the festival of lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals by Hindus across India and the world. Also called Deepavali, Diwali symbolises the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The word Deepavali comes from Sanskrit, which means “a row of lamps,” and true to its name, on this auspicious day homes, streets, and temples are lit with countless diyas (oil lamps). And so, it is also called the festival of lights.Why is Diwali celebrated?Diwali is celebrated in honour and rememberance of the return of Shri Ram (the 7th avatar of Vishnu ji) to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana, as per the Hindu epic Ramayana. People welcomed him by lighting rows of diyas to illuminate his path home. This is a five day festival, which begins with Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, Diwali, Govardhan Puja, and Bhai Dooj. This year, Diwali celebrations are from October 18th to 23rd.How is Diwali celebratedDiwali is celebrated with immense enthusiasm and joy over five days, each with its own rituals and meaning. The first day, Dhanteras, is considered auspicious for buying gold, utensils, and other valuables. The second day, Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, involves cleansing homes and lighting the first lamps. The third day, Lakshmi Puja, is the main festival day when families worship Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and light diyas to welcome her blessings. The fourth day marks Govardhan Puja or Padwa, celebrating prosperity and marital harmony, while the fifth day, Bhai Dooj, honours the bond between brothers and sisters.Homes are cleaned and decorated with colorful rangolis, flowers, and lights. Families exchange sweets, gifts, and greetings, and fireworks illuminate the night sky. The festival also encourages acts of charity, forgiveness, and renewal of relationships.When is Diwali celebratedDiwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika, which usually falls between October and November each year. The date varies based on the lunar calendar. This year it is from October 18th to 23rd.Diwali is not just a festival — it’s a celebration of life, light, and the eternal victory of goodness and hope. To help you wish your friends and family on this auspicious day, here we list some quotes that truly show the essence of Diwali:1. “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”— Victor Hugo, Les Misérables2. “Goodness is about character—integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage.”— Dennis Prager3. “When you possess light within, you see it externally.”— Anaïs Nin4. “In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”— Aaron Rose5. “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”— Edith Wharton6. “Let light shine out of darkness.”— 2 Corinthians 4:6 (The Bible)7. “The lamp burns bright when the heart is pure.”— Indian Proverb8. “Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.”— Rabindranath Tagore9. “Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.”— Desiderius Erasmus10. “Let the light of knowledge dispel the darkness of ignorance.”— Swami Vivekananda11. “Evil cannot be conquered by evil. It can only be overcome by good.”— Leo Tolstoy12. “Right is right, even if everyone is against it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.”— William Penn13. “To fight evil, one must understand it, not copy it.”— George R.R. Martin, A Song of Ice and Fire14. “Goodness is the only investment that never fails.”— Henry David Thoreau15. “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”— Terry PratchettDeepavali Greeting Card Images to Brighten Someone’s Day