Today is Sunday, 08 November 2026, and the whole world celebrates the Festival of Lights, Diwali. This is the festival of lights and comes in the month of Kartik of the Hindu calendar, the same month when Dussehra is celebrated, which is celebrated as the return of Lord Sri Ram Chandra Ji from his 14 years of vanvas to Ayodhya. So, for that celebration, the people of Ayodhya lit earthen lamps to light up the streets and their houses for the return of Sri Ram Chandra Ji, his brother Sri Lakshman Ji, and his wife Mata Sita Ji.
Diwali Facts For Aspirants
Diwali, as all know, is celebrated as the return of Sri Ram Chandra Ji from exile and always comes 20 days after Dussehra, which marks the killing of Ravana by Lord Sri Ram Chandra Ji. For aspirants who are preparing for competitive exams, there are many facts that should be known from an exam perspective, as Diwali is celebrated all over the world.
- Diwali is the major festival for Hindus all over the world.
- Diwali always comes in the Hindu calendar Vikram Samvat month of Kartik (which is the eighth month of the Hindu calendar) on Amavasya (which is the darkest night or the new moon of Kartik).
- Diwali is celebrated not only by Hindus but also by Sikhs, as on this day Bandi Chhor Diwas is also celebrated. Mughal Emperor Jahangir had imprisoned Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji in Gwalior Jail, and when Jahangir gave the order to release Guru Hargobind Singh Ji, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji set a condition to release 52 other kings along with him. After this, Jahangir released the 52 other kings. Because of this, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji is also called Bandi Chhor. And when Guru Hargobind Singh Ji reached Amritsar, it was the festival of Diwali, and the people of Amritsar lit ghee lamps and burst firecrackers to welcome Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, and the Golden Temple was decorated.
- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which has its headquarters in Paris, France, announced last year, on December 10, 2025, from the Red Fort in India during the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee, that Diwali was officially inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This means that Diwali is being honoured as a living, community-driven tradition passed on from generation to generation, which signifies the triumph of light over darkness. So with this, Diwali becomes the 16th element on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.
- In South India, Diwali is celebrated for another reason as well, as it is celebrated for the victory of Lord Krishna and Satyabhama over the demon Narakasura, whereas in North India, it is celebrated for the return of Lord Ram Ji to Ayodhya.
- In Jainism, this auspicious day is also celebrated for another reason, as in Jainism, the festival of Diwali is celebrated for the attainment of knowledge, known as Kevalgyana or Nirvana (liberation or final release), by Jainism’s 24th Tirthankar, Mahavira. In contrast to the celebrations of Diwali in other religions, which involve loud firecrackers, in Jainism, people celebrate Diwali by simply lighting diyas, which symbolize the light of divine knowledge. Along with that, people who follow Jainism visit Jain temples to offer Nirvan Ladoo to Lord Mahavira and chant verses from their sacred text, the Uttaradhyayan Sutra. On the next day, Jain people celebrate the Jain New Year (Pratipada, or the start of Vira Nirvana Samvat) on the day after Diwali, and many business people who follow Jainism open their new financial account books on this day.
On this day of Diwali, people all over the world celebrate this festival of light, the victory of truth over darkness, and the triumph of light over the dark night of the Kartik month’s Amavasya. For aspirants, you should know about all these facts, which are usually asked in many exams, as they are a favorite topic. There are also many facts that should be known to you as an aspirant, so learning and remembering them becomes important for you to score well in these highly competitive exams and succeed in the papers.
So, I hope you are well acquainted with all these facts about this festival and will succeed in your upcoming exams. So, from our team and the RankersChoice.com family, I wish you, your whole family, along with your friends and relatives, a happy, safe, and enlightening Festival, and may this year’s Diwali light a new diya in your house.