QuotedTale
Diwali 2026 is on Sunday, 8 November. You have lit the diyas for years, but how much do you really know about the festival?
Answer 15 quick questions and see your score at the end.
What does the word “Deepavali” mean?
A row of lights
Deepavali comes from Sanskrit: deepa means lamp and avali means a row or series.
In the Ramayana, whose return to Ayodhya is celebrated on Diwali?
Lord Rama
People of Ayodhya are said to have lit lamps to welcome Rama, Sita and Lakshmana home after the exile and the defeat of Ravana.
How many years of exile did Rama complete before returning?
14 years
Rama spent 14 years in exile in the forest, as promised to his father, King Dasharatha.
Which goddess is worshipped on the main night of Diwali?
Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi Puja, usually with Lord Ganesha, is done on Diwali evening to welcome wealth and good fortune.
Which bird is known as Goddess Lakshmi's vahana (vehicle)?
The owl
Lakshmi's vahana is the owl (ulluka). The swan belongs to Saraswati and the peacock to Kartikeya.
On which moon night does Diwali fall?
Amavasya
Diwali falls on the Amavasya, the darkest night, of the month of Kartik in the Purnimanta calendar. That is why the lamps matter so much.
How many days does the Diwali festival last?
Five days
Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja and Bhai Dooj make up the five days.
Which day starts the five days of Diwali?
Dhanteras
Dhanteras opens the festival. Many families buy gold, silver or new utensils on this day, and it is linked with Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda.
Choti Diwali marks Lord Krishna's victory over which demon?
Narakasura
Choti Diwali is also called Naraka Chaturdashi, after Krishna's defeat of the demon king Narakasura.
On Govardhan Puja, what did Krishna lift to protect people from heavy rain?
Govardhan hill
Krishna held up the Govardhan hill on one finger to shelter the people and cows of Vrindavan from Indra's storm.
The story of Bhai Dooj is linked with which brother and sister?
Yama and Yamuna
Tradition says Yama, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna on this day, and she welcomed him with a tilak and a meal.
What do Sikhs celebrate on the same day as Diwali?
Bandi Chhor Divas
Bandi Chhor Divas marks Guru Hargobind's release from Gwalior Fort, where he had been held by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
For Jains, Diwali marks the nirvana of which Tirthankara?
Mahavira
Jains observe Diwali as the day Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara, attained nirvana at Pawapuri in Bihar.
In West Bengal, which goddess is worshipped on Diwali night?
Goddess Kali
In Bengal, Odisha and Assam, many people celebrate Kali Puja on the Diwali new moon night.
In Nepal, Diwali is called Tihar. Which animal is honoured on Kukur Tihar?
The dog
On Kukur Tihar, dogs get garlands, a tilak and treats. Other days of Tihar honour crows and cows.
Little Diya 🪔
You know the lights and the sweets, and that is a lovely start. Read up on the five days and try again before Diwali.
Bright Phuljhadi ✨
Nice work! You know most of the stories behind Diwali. A few more and you will be the family expert.
Diwali Expert 🎆
Amazing! You know Diwali inside out, from Ayodhya to Pawapuri to Kukur Tihar. Share your score and challenge your family.
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