DIVALI / DIWALI/DEEPAVALI - HINDU
Deepawali or Diwali, the Hindu new year’s day, is the biggest and the brightest of all Hindu festivals. It is the festival of lights: deep means ‘light’ and ‘avali’ a row’, so divali is ‘a row of lights’. It coincides with the darkest night (15th) of the lunar month of Kartik, which usually falls in late October or early November.

DIVALI / DEEPAVALI - JAIN
Divali has a special significance for Jains, as on this day in 527 BCE Mahavira gave his last teachings and at midnight attained ultimate liberation. Today temples and shrines are decorated, often with toys and images of animals, and Jains meditate on the teaching he gave on this day. Many devout followers fast for the two days of Divali, following the example of Mahavira. Lamps are lit and children are given sweets by their parents, though the songs, dances and noise of Hindu celebrations are not common amongst the Jain communities. Jain business people traditionally start their accounting year from the day after Divali.

DIVALI / BANDI CHHOR DIVAS - SIKH
Bandi Chhor Divas meaning "Day of Liberation" is a Sikh celebration that commemorates the day the sixth Guru of Sikhs, Guru Hargobind and 52 Hindu Kings were released from Gwalior Fort, who had been imprisoned by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Emperor Jahangir had held 52 Kings at the Gwalior Fort for several months. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor Sahib is located at the place of the Gurus internment in the Fort. The day falls in autumn and often overlaps with Hindu Diwali.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated and firework displays take place there. It is a time for new clothes, presents and sweets.