Diwali is celebrated by thousands of people in North Texas — but many don’t know what the popular holiday is all about.

Known as the Hindu festival of lights, the five-day holiday takes place around October or November. The start to the holiday falls on different dates. In 2024, the main celebrations will be this week, community members said.

The holiday is observed widely in India — and since Texas is home to a sizable Indian-American population, many families in the region with Indian heritage come together to celebrate.

“It’s one of the major festivals celebrated by Hindus,” said Dinesh Hooda, soon-to-be president of the cultural nonprofit, India Association of North Texas. “It’s like Christmas for Hindus, so it’s definitely the biggest festival to be celebrated in the year.”

Here’s what you should know about Diwali, how it’s celebrated and what to say to people who celebrate it.

What is Diwali?

Diwali is one of the largest holidays in India and can last up to six days. It’s celebrated not only by Hindus, but also by Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists who each interpret the holiday differently.

Its exact meaning differs among regions and groups in India, but it’s widely regarded as the Festival of Lights. The subcontinent is home to more than a billion people and 122 major languages.

In the South Indian tradition, it’s regarded as the day when the god Krishna defeated the demon, Narakasura. In other Indian cultures, it’s considered the day when the Hindu deity, Ram, returned to his home kingdom after living in exile for 14 years. Most groups hold the holiday as a triumph of good over evil.

During the main day of the holiday, families gather for a prayer, or puja, for the goddess Lakshmi. This gathering occurs on the third day of the holiday and is followed by a feast.

The last day of the festival is known as “bhai dooj,” which celebrates the bond between siblings. Brothers visit the homes of their married sisters and share a meal.

How is it celebrated?

It varies in each household, but there are usually lights involved.

Diwali, or Dipawali, literally means “row of lights,” originating from Sanskrit words avali, meaning row, and deepa, referring to the clay lamps that are lit during the season. People usually light their homes with diyas, or lamps, including in the kitchen, bedroom and living room.

“Back in those days when there was no electricity, the idea was you put a lamp in every place of the house, so that the joy and the light and positivity energy of Diwali touches every corner of the house,” Hooda said.

Around this time, families usually deep clean their homes and buy new traditional clothes, especially if they’re inviting guests for a feast, Hooda said. Women usually wear their saris, and men wear kurtas and dhotis.

At most celebrations, you’ll likely see a lot of food, sparklers and gifts, usually in the form of sweets. Other desserts eaten during Diwali season include kheer, a rice pudding, and gulab jamun, which are Indian donuts soaked in syrup.

Hooda said he most looks forward to praying during the festival. For this Diwali, he wishes everybody to live a long and happy life.

“Diwali is not only about lights, it’s about sharing happiness, sharing wellbeing, sharing the care of each other in the community,” Hooda said.

How can I participate?

If you know someone who celebrates the festival, you can simply wish them a “Happy Diwali.”

For those interested in seeing how the festival is celebrated, most Hindu temples welcome people from all religious backgrounds to attend their Diwali related services.

“I want everyone to be a part of this festival and celebration,” Hooda said.