On the darkest night of the Hindu calendar, a billion Hindus worldwide light lamps called diyas in celebration of Diwali.

For most North Indians, Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, to the city of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshman after defeating the demon-king Ravana with the help of the monkey-headed god Hanuman. 

“It’s celebrating the triumph of good over evil,” Avantika Raina, a Granite Bay High School sophomore, said. “It’s celebrated within your family, together with them.”

Families come together to celebrate Diwali by lighting diyas and using colored powders to decorate the entrance to their house with intricate designs called rangoli. Rangoli is thought to welcome the gods into the home, which is very auspicious.

“The most celebrated god in Diwali in my family is Lakshmi,” Trisha Choutkuri, a GBHS senior, said. “She brings wealth and prosperity.”

Lakshmi is the wife of Vishnu, one of the most prominent deities in Hinduism who has many avatars like Lord Rama and Krishna. Although Lakshmi is celebrated by many Hindus on Diwali, other gods are significant to other groups of people.

For most South Indians, Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura, splitting the demon in half with his discus.

However, it isn’t just Hindus that celebrate Diwali. On this day, Sikhs celebrate Guru Hargobind and the 52 princes’ escape from the clutches of Emperor Jahangir. Jains celebrate the anniversary of Mahavira—the 24th Tirthankara, or supreme preacher—achieving nirvana.

Diwali is celebrated over five days, but the main celebration takes place on the third day. The celebration involves loud and vibrant firecrackers as well as more reverent rituals.

Rituals include performing puja, a form of Hindu worship, to certain gods, especially Lakshmi. Offerings can be given to the gods in the form of sweets, lotus flowers, or money. Any food that is offered is blessed by the gods and is later given to the worshipers to eat.

Light is of great significance, with diyas being lit and a process called arti being performed in mandirs. In arti, they place their hands close to the flame, then bring them to their forehead to purify themselves. Purity and cleanliness are important, as people remove their shoes before entering a mandir, or temple, and clean their homes to invite the gods in.

All of this worship is intended to commemorate the triumph of good over evil as well as bring prosperity and wealth into the home. Celebrants can rest assured that the gods’ blessings are upon them.

“(Diwali) is part of my religion and my culture,” Choutkuri said. “It’s important to my family.”