---
title: "Deepavali (Diwali) — Festival of Lights"
sanskrit_name: "दीपवाली"
tithi: "Kartik Amavasya"
canonical: "https://sattvalok.com/festivals/diwali"
attribution: "Source: SattvaLok (https://sattvalok.com/festivals/diwali)"
---

# Deepavali (Diwali) — Festival of Lights (दीपवाली)

> Deepavali is the five-day festival of lights symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, dharma over adharma, and knowledge over ignorance.

## Observance Tithi & Season
- **Tithi**: Kartik Amavasya
- **Season**: Sharad (Autumn / Harvest)

## Spiritual Significance
Lighting Diyas represents awakening the inner Atman (Divine Light) within oneself, dissolving ignorance, anger, and egoism.






## Scriptural & Puranic Origins

### Return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya (Valmiki Ramayana (Yuddha Kanda))
After 14 years of exile and defeating Ravana, Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana returned to Ayodhya. Citizens lit millions of clay lamps (Diyas) to illuminate the dark Amavasya night.

### Samudra Manthan & Appearance of Goddess Lakshmi (Vishnu Purana)
Goddess Lakshmi emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) on Kartik Amavasya and chose Lord Vishnu as Her eternal consort.

### Defeat of Narakasura by Lord Krishna & Satyabhama (Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 10))
Lord Krishna and Satyabhama vanquished Narakasura on Naraka Chaturdashi, liberating 16,000 captive princesses.