Many religions celebrate Diwali. Here are the stories behind the festival

Nov 4, 2021

Diyas and candles layed out beautifully for Diwali.

Diwali, or the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, lasting five days. Image: Unsplash/Udayaditya Barua

Natasha Mikles

Lecturer in Philosophy, Texas State University

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Roles of Religion

Among Hindu families, many claim the festival celebrates the defeat of the evil demon king Ravana by Rama – an incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu and the hero of India’s Ramayana epic. Image: Bikashrd via Wikimedia Commons

For Jains, Diwali celebrates the nirvana, or enlightenment, of Mahavira. Image: Francis Harry Roy S via Wikimedia Commons,

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