Deepavali or Diwali is an important festival of India and Nepal. Diwali is associated with many legends and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains. Deepavali is known as the ?Festival of Lights? as the lamps. The lamps symbolizes the victory of good on evil or the uplifting of the spiritual darkness inside each human being and the festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal especially Newar Buddhists.

The financial year of certain business communities in North India starts on the day of Diwali. The businessmen will make a new account book on that day and before using it they are put in front of the Goddess Lakshmi for a good start to bring prosperity throughout the year. The legends associated with Diwali such as the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya, killing of Narakasura, austerities of goddess Shakti, defeat of Indra by Krishna and Bali's return to the nether world.

Diwali is a five day festival starting on the 15th day of the month Kartika (Hindu Calendar month) i.e. in the month of October or November. The legends on Deepavali differ from region to region but the essences of these legends are the same i.e. to bring out the inner light. In North India and Maharashtra, Deepavali is celebrated for more than six days.

Deepavali is also celebrated as the Hindu and Gujarati New Year. Diyas and candles are placed on the rooftops, kitchen, windows and other rooms of the house. People make rangolis in the courtyard and in front of the gate and they decorate their doors and window with flowers and mango leaves.

People wake up on the day of Diwali at dawn and perform customary pujas. The people who are celebrating Deepavali celebrate the festival by wearing silk dresses, gold jewelry, bursting the crackers, making rangolis and family gatherings. After bursting the crackers they will visit the friends and relatives. People visit their friends and relatives by taking sweets and savories as gifts along with them.

The festivity of Diwali starts two days before the day of Diwali and two days after Diwali. Each day has its own significance with numerous myths, beliefs and legends. The most important day around Diwali is Dhanteras and on the day of Dhanteras people buy household items and jewelry. Buying household items and jewelry on Dhanteras is supposed to bring wealth to the house. Dhanteras is the first day of the Diwali celebrations falls on the thirteenth day of Kartika and people worship Goddess Lakshmi on the first day. Second day is ?Narkachaturdashi? falls on the fourteenth day of Kartika and this day is for lighting lamps and worship Goddess Kali, Goddess of strength.

The third day is the most important day celebrating with fire crackers, delicious sweets, new clothes and get together of families. On the Diwali day, Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi will be worshipped. Fourth day is celebrated a ?Padva? or ?Bali Pratipada? to pay respects of King Bali. The fifth and last day of Diwali is known as ?Bhai Dhooj? which is celebrated as the symbol of love between brothers and sister. On the day of ?Bhai Dhooj? sisters put tilak on the forehead of their brothers and feed them with special dishes.

Deepavali is a wonderful festival of giving and sharing and unites the whole nation with the festivities. The magnificent celebrations of Diwali unite India irrespective of caste and creed.