What is the biggest holiday in India?

Diwali, or Dipawali festival is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival's name is derived from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to represent the inner light that guards against spiritual darkness. This festival is as significant to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is for Christians.

Diwali is celebrated each year in the autumn, generally between October and November. The event lasts five days, with the major celebration taking place on the third day. This year's Diwali will be held on November 12.

These are the five days of Diwali:

• Dhanteras: On the first day of Diwali, people traditionally buy gold and silver jewelry, utensils, and other new home things for good luck. Many people clean their houses to seek the blessings of Lakshmi, the goddess of riches and prosperity. On this day, others commemorate Dhanvantari, the Ayurvedic deity, as well as Yamaraj, the god of death.
• Choti Diwali, or Naraka Chaturdashi: The second day of Diwali commemorates Lord Krishna's battle with the demon king Narakasura. People get up early to bathe and clean their hair. They also clean their homes, decorate with rangolis and diyas, and make sweets.
• Diwali, or Lakshmi Puja: The third day of the festivities is commonly referred to as Diwali. Families meet to exchange gifts, eat delicious meals, and indulge in sweets. On this day, many Hindus devote their adoration to the goddess Lakshmi.
• Padwa, or Govardhan Puja: The fourth day of Diwali celebrates the bond between husband and wife, and husbands usually buy a present for their wives. In some accounts, it recalls the day Lord Krishna raised Govardhan Hill to shelter the residents of Vrindavan from the rains caused by Lord Indra's wrath. In memory, some devotees feed Krishna a mountain of food, while others create clay and cow dung figurines that depict the incident.
• Bhai Dooj: The last day of Diwali honors Lord Yama's relationship with his sister Yami (or Yamuna). Sisters will occasionally apply a tilak, or crimson mark, to their brothers' foreheads, while brothers will present presents to their sisters.

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