Diwali - 13th November

Festival of Lights Hindu devotees at the River GangesDiwali is perhaps the most well-known of the Hindu festivals. The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware oil lamps called diyas Celebrating Diwali For many Indians this five day festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People start the new business year at Diwali, and some Hindus will say prayers to the goddess for a successful year. Lamps are lit to help Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, find her way into people's homes. They also celebrate one of the Diwali legends, which tells of the return of Rama and Sita to Rama's kingdom after fourteen years of exile. In Britain, as in India, the festival is a time for: spring-cleaning the home, wearing new clothes exchanging gifts (often sweets and dried fruits) and preparing festive meals decorating buildings with fancy lights. huge firework displays often celebrate Divali. In India Hindus will leave the windows and doors of their houses open so that Lakshmi can come in. Rangoli are drawn on the floors - rangoli are patterns and the most popular subject is the lotus flower. The meaning of Diwali FireworksThe festival celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance, although the actual legends that go with the festival are different in different parts of India: In northern India and elsewhere, Diwali celebrates Rama's return from fourteen years of exile to Ayodhya after the defeat of Ravana and his subsequent coronation as king; In Gujarat, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; In Nepal Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakaasura; In Bengal, it is associated with the goddess Kali. Deepavali or Diwali related baby names

Deepavali or Diwali celebrated in the last quarter of the calendar is a Hindu festival marking the victory of the good or the evil. Deepavali means the "row of lights" and the festival is associated with light and festivities. For those babies born during Deepavali or Diwali, we recommend the below list of names which is inspired by this festival. Adeep = The light of Vishnu Alok, Aalok = Brightness, Light Archisha = a ray of light Chirag = lamp Deepa = A lamp Deepak = light Deepankar = one who lights the lamp Deepali, Dipali = Row of lamps Deependra = lord of lights Deepika = little light Dipen = Lord of the lamp Diya = light, lamp Hemaprakash = golden light Jagdeep = Light of the Universe Jayaprabha = light of victory Jyoti = Light Kanchanprabha= golden light Kanti= Light Kuldeep = light of family Lakshmi = Goddess of Wealth Leora = Light Lokprakash = light of the world Mandeep = light of heart Manjyot = light of the mind Navtej = New Light Onella = Light Prabha = Light Pradeep = lamp Preshti = Ray of Light Prakash = light Rajdeep = Light of Kings Rajika = Lamp warnaprabha = golden light Vartika = Lamp Vasatika = Morning light Vedaprakash = light of knowledge Vibhas = decoration; light Viti = Light Ujhala = Light Usra = First light