Festival of lights

Deepavali ~ This word is a compound of two words 'Deepa' and 'Avali' in Sanskrit. Deepa means light and Avali means row. Thus the literal meaning of the word is 'row of lights'. The festival of lights symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind.

The most significant esoteric meaning is "the awareness of the inner light". The heart of Hindu philosophy, is the assertion that there is something beyond the physical body and mind which is pure, infinite, and eternal, called the Atman. Just as we celebrate the birth of our physical being, Deepavali is the celebration of this Inner Light, in particular the knowing of which outshines all darkness (removes all obstacles and dispels all ignorance), awakening the individual to one's true nature, not as the body, but as the unchanging, infinite, immanent and transcendent reality. With the realization of the Atman, comes universal compassion, love, and the awareness of the oneness of all things (higher knowledge). This brings Anandha (Inner Joy or Peace).
Deepavali celebrations include fireworks, lights, flowers, sharing sweets and worship. While the story behind Deepavali varies, the essence is the same - to rejoice in the Inner Light (Atman) or the underlying reality of all things (Brahman).

Wish you a very Happy and Prosperous Deepavali !