Whats Diwali/Deepavali?
Diwali (also called Deepavali, दिवाली or दीपावली or தீபாவளி in Tamil) is a major Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Indian Buddhist festival/celebration. Known as the "Festival of Lights," it symbolises the victory of good over evil, and lamps are lit as a sign of celebration and hope for mankind. The reason for celebrating Diwali or Deepawali (lines of earthen lamps) is the return of Lord Ram, after killing Ravan (Demon) during his exile for 14 years. The day of killing Ravan is celebrated as Dussehra (19~21 days before Diwali). Celebrations focus on lights and lamps, particularly traditional diyas (as illustrated). Fireworks are associated with the festival in some regions of India.

The Five days of Diwali

Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. A lunar half-month is 15 days. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period.

1. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "13th day". Thus, as the name implies, this day falls on the 13th day of the first half of the lunar month. It is an auspicious day for shopping. (Gujarati: Dhan Teras)
2. Naraka Chaturdasi: Narak means 'of a new era of Light and Knowledge'. Chaturdasi implies fourteenth day. (Gujarati: Kali Chaudas)
3. Diwali: the actual day of Diwali, is celebrated on the third day of the festival, when the moon completely wanes and total darkness sets in the night sky.
4. Varsha-pratipada or Padwa: Beginning of the New Year (Kartikadi Vikram). Pratipada means the first. (Gujarati: Bestu Varas)
5. Bhayiduj (also Bhayyaduj, Bhaubeej or Bhayitika) -- on this day, brothers and sisters meet to express their love and affection for each other. (Gujarati: Bhai Bij)

The celebrations vary in different regions:

• In Southern India, naraka chaturdashii is the main day, with firecrackers at dawn.
• The main festival is on Amavasya evening with Lakshmi Puja which is followed by lighting of oil lamps around the house.

For more info on Diwali/Deepavali: search in www.wikipedia.org

or visit http://www.festivalsinindia.net/diwali/index.html