Diwali

Diwali is the festival of lights. For five days in autumn, families across India and far beyond it clean their homes, light rows of small clay lamps, share sweets, and gather to sing.

The stories behind it differ from family to family. Many remember Ram coming home to Ayodhya after fourteen years away, and the whole city lighting lamps to welcome him. On the main night, most homes welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune, and Ganesh, who is always honoured first.

These are the songs and hymns a family is most likely to sing that night — each one here in its own script, with its sound, its meaning in plain words, and a deeper layer for the grown-ups.

The texts

1. 1Om Jai Lakshmi MataThe aarti most homes sing on Lakshmi Puja night.
2. 2Jai Ganesh DevaGanesh is welcomed first, so his aarti often comes first.
3. 3Om Jai Jagdish HareSung at the close of prayers all year, and last on Diwali night.
4. 4Shri Ramchandra KripaluTulsidas's song of Ram — for the night of his homecoming.
5. 5Sri SuktamThe oldest hymn to Lakshmi, from the Vedic tradition.
6. 6Lakshmi AshtakamEight verses of praise, each ending with a bow to Mahalakshmi.

Not every region keeps the same night the same way. In Bengal, the main night of Diwali is Kali Puja. In Gujarat, the new year begins just after Diwali. Families everywhere mix the stories and songs their own elders kept.