Q:
A: What is deepavali? You have got it right! Deepavali is the actual word. Diwali is a derivatIon. In South India they call it Deepawali always. Globally it is Diwali* Deep means lamps. oil lamps. 'wali' means rows. so it means 'rows of lamps'. Who celebrates it? - Hindus all over the world celebrate it. Mainly in countries: India and Nepal. Subcontinent in short. When?- End of Kartik. As per Hindu Calendar/ Lunar Calendar. On Amavasya. The New Moon day. So the date shifts from end October to November. Why?- There are many stories. In South India, it is a celebration of Narakasura's defeat. when Rama returned to Ayodhya from his 14 Year exile, he was greeted by the people of Ayodhya very Warmly. All lit up their houses with rows of lamps. That is how it contInues. How?- cleaning, painting and decorating the house before the day. making sweets. distributing clothes and sweets to the needy. exchange of gifts Prayers Making rangoli lighting up tHe houses crackers and fireworks - a taboo these days for pollution hope that answers all your Q btw: effigy of Ravana is burnt on Dusserah, not Diwali day. above aswer is confused.