Tesaurus d'Art i Arquitectura Getty Institute 0000-00-00 2024-01-24 15:40:44 en Divali300264518DeepavaliDipavālīDīpāvaliDīvālīDiwali The Hindu festival of lights, an important festival celebrated throughout India for four or five days in October/November (from the thirteenth day of the dark half of the lunar month Asvina to the second day of the light half of Karttika). The festival, honoring Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune, is observed with particular enthusiasm by merchants who begin new account books at this time (the goddess Kali is worshipped in Bengal). Worshippers place small earthenware oil lamps in rows along the parapets of temples and houses; the lamps are also set adrift on rivers and streams. This commemorates the return from exile and coronation of Rama, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Ornate patterns of lotuses are drawn on the floor near the doors of houses as a way of inviting Lakshmi in. During the festival, people visit one another, exchange gifts, feast, and wear new clothes. The fourth day of the festival marks the beginning of the new year according to the Vikrama calendar. Divali divali 2026-03-30 20:40:38