The beginning of the Hindu New Year, Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India. Deepavali is a festival of lights symbolizing the lifting of spiritual darkness. It is a family festival which is celebrated 20 days after Dasara. This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. Twinkling oil lamps or diyas light up every home and firework displays are common all across the country, the entrance of houses are decorated with Rangoli.

The goddess Lakshmi (consort of Vishnu), who is the symbol of wealth and prosperity, is also worshipped on this day. Lord Ganesha, the elephant god, the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom, is also worshipped in most Hindu homes on the Deepavali day.

The celebrations take place on the darkest night of the lunar month, Amavasya, when diyas burn and the sky is ablaze with fire vrackers of all kinds. It's not only the festival of lights, it's also a festival of colours. True, Indian colours that adorn places of worship and decorate houses across the country. The occasion of Deepavali sees the spring-cleaning and white-washing of houses and decorative designs or rangolis are painted on floors and walls. New clothes are bought and family members and relatives gather together to offer prayers, distribute sweets and to light up their homes.

It's an occasion for families to meet and catch up with each other. It is also the perfect occasion to catch up with close friends with whom you always mean to spend time with, something you never quite get around to doing in the hustle and hurry of everyday life.