Diwali, a five-day festival, means ' cluster of lights ', the name being a contraction of. Dipavali. The festival is so called because homes, cowsheds, temples, offices, etc., are decorated with coloured electric lights or clay Diwali lamps (diva) containing a wick floating in oil. Lots of stories are associated with the festival. It is said that the Goddess Kali was born at this time, and that the Goddess Lakhsmi, the wife of the God Vishnu, visits each house which is clean and brightly light and will bring gifts and prosperity during the coming year. Another story concerns the God Visnu in his incarnation as Krishna. Krishna defeated a demon called Naraka but when Naraka was dying he asked a boon of Krisna. Naraka asked that his death should be mourned on its anniversary but in a happy way, with new clothes, fireworks, greetings sent to family and friends and lights to brighten the night. Krishna granted his request with the festival of Diwali. However, the most well-known story connected with the festival is that of the Ramayan. In the holy city of Benares, the Ramayan is acted out over a period of thirty days for the festival. When Ram eventually found his wife Sita, with the help of Hanuman the monkey, they eventually returned to Ayodhya, from which place they had been banished fourteen years previously. They were met with joyous celebration and rows and rows of coloured lights to mark the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil.
 
     On Diwali, families will try to meet together, and a man will take his wife home to her parents. Boys are often given a party by their sisters and cousins, new clothes are worn, and each house is cleaned and decorated. It is a time for whitewashing the houses and buildings and making everything look as clean and attractive as possible. Girls make intricate designs called rangoli patterns in coloured chalk in front of their houses. Animats are washed, groomed and decorated and will have bells put around their necks and special food to eat. The festival marks the beginning of the new business year so accounts are settled so that no one is in debt and everyone, particularly children, tries to turn over a new leaf. In Britain there would not be so much emphasis on outdoor activities, but a lot of dancing, speeches and parties. In India, dancing groups tour the towns and cities performing for money. Presents will be exchanged and Diwali cards sent to friends and relatives at home and abroad.
 
     Dipavali also has a personal touch, since each girl makes a Diwali lamp of her own and in India if she lives near a river, she will set her light afloat on the river on a small raft. This is done in darkness, and if the lamp stays alight for as long as she can see it, she will have good luck during, the coming year. The festival also chases off demons, and peals of bells are often heard to ensure this. In essence, Diwali is representative of the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil and the rows of divas, the little lamps outside the homes, are symbols of this light and goodness.