Ashmolean Eastern Art Online, Yousef Jameel Centre for Islamic and Asian Art

Eastern Art Online welcomes you to explore its collection of artefacts from India during the festival of Diwali. Many of these artefacts are on display in the Ashmolean's India galleries. In 2011 Diwali begins on Wednesday 26th October.

The Hindu festival of Diwali (or Dipavali: 'row of lamps') is celebrated throughout India in the month of Kartika (October-November) and lasts for five days. On the first day, the goddesses Parvati and Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) are invited to bring blessings and prosperity to homes and businesses. On the second day, dice games are often played. The third day, the full moon, commemorates Vishnu's victory over the demon king Bali, and further worship of Lakshmi takes place. On the fourth day, the real Diwali, numerous little clay oil-lamps are lit and laid in rows along the walls and terraces of houses, to mark Rama's triumphal return to Ayodhya at the end of the Ramayana epic. On the fifth day, named after Yama, ruler of the dead, men of the household customarily dine with their sisters or other female relatives and receive presents.

For further information about Diwali, please see the links on the right.