Every seventh month of the Tamil lunar calendar, Hindus all over the world celebrate a festival known as Deepavali or Diwali. The word “Deepavali” is a Sanskrit term meaning “Row of Lights”. It is a time when they commemorate the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.

Today, Hindus celebrate Deepavali by lighting oil lamps all around their homes. The oil lamps symbolize the removal of darkness within human hearts by replacing it with light. Celebrations begin on the eve of Deepavali when family members gather in the house of the elders. It is a time for families to end feuds and settle misunderstandings.