Diwali

Diwali is a festival celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs all over the world. In 2011 Diwali begins on Wednesday, October 26 and will continue for five days until Sunday, October 30.

Many of the UK's museums and galleries hold special events for Diwali. Lots of the pictures in this story are from World Museum Liverpool - thank you to them.

So, what's it all about?

Diwali is also known as Divali, Dewali or Deepavali. It starts on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartika and usually goes on for five days.

Photo: Diwali 2005 at World Museum Liverpool.

The word Diwali means 'row of lighted lamps', and Diwali is known as the Festival of Lights. People light small oil lamps called diyas (or candles) and put them all round their homes, inside and out.

Photo: Diwali 2005 at World Museum Liverpool.

On day one of Diwali, people clean their houses from top to bottom, open their windows and light diyas in honour of Lakshmi, goddess of wealth.

Photo: © Suresh Susan

They decorate the entrances with traditional rangoli patterns made out of coloured sand or rice powder, and paint footprints everywhere to show that Lakshmi has visited.

Photo: © Suresh Susan

On day two, everyone has a bath with oils, and gives gifts, often of new clothes and jewellery.

Day three is the main day of the festival, and families go to the temple to pray. Later on there are lots of sweets, sparklers, firecrackers and fireworks!

Day four is the start of the Hindu new year. Everyone dresses in their new clothes and visits the biggest temple in their town or city with their families.

Photo: Courtesy Image Leicester.

Day five is called Bhai Dooj. The name 'Dooj' means the second day after the new moon, the day of the festival, and 'Bhai' means 'brother'.

On this day it's traditional for brothers to spend time with their sisters, and give them presents of new clothes or sweets. A sister blesses her brother by putting a tilak, or a red mark on his forehead.

These girls are learning about the music and dancing that goes on during Diwali. Do you like their beautiful saris?

Photo: Diwali 2005 at World Museum Liverpool.

Lots of museums and galleries around the UK celebrate Diwali - especially in the big cities.

We'll keep you posted about events...

Do you celebrate Diwali with your family? If you do, we'd love to hear about it - so Get In Touch. Perhaps you could send us photos of your rangoli pictures?

This story was updated November 2010