Diwali is an important festival for Hindus. Diwali the "festival of lights", is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn. It marks the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

Diwali lasts for five days, with the main celebrations being on the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika, that is between mid-October and mid-November.

Before Diwali night, people clean and decorate their homes and offices. On Diwali night, Hindus dress up in their best clothes, light (lamps and candles (called diyas) say family prayers (puja) to the goddess Lakshmi – who represents wealth and prosperity. After the puja fireworks are lit and a family feast with special sweets (mithai) are eaten and gift are exchanged (as Christians might do at Christmas). Also, just like Christmas, the time before and during Diwali is a major shopping time as people go out to buy their gifts.