Celebrated each fall, Diwali (aka Deepavali)marks the Hindu New Year and the victory of good over evil.
The five-day festival culminates on the darkest night of the lunar calendar, with its main celebration on the third evening during the new moon. While in India, fireworks often play a big part in community celebrations. Many here observe the more low-key holiday custom of lighting little oil lamps called diyas in honor of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune.
Other traditions include hanging colorful doorway garlands (toran), creating intricate folk art designs on terraces and entryways with chalk, sand and other ephemeral pigments called rangoli. Neighbors also exchange mithai (sweets)…