Today is Diwali, a major Indian holiday; it also means you don’t have to move your car. Here from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Diwali (or Deepavali) is a major Indian holiday, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. [3] Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Lights,"
where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within
every human being. Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the
month Kartika.[4]In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of Lord Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest, after he defeated the evil Ravana.[5]
The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by
lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deeva), thus its name: Deepavali. This
word, in due course, became Diwali in Hindi. But, in South Indian
languages, the word did not undergo any change, and hence the festival
is called Deepavali in southern India. There are many different
observances of the holiday across India.Jainism marks Diwali as the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on 15 October, 527 BCE.
Among the Sikhs,
Diwali came to have special significance from the day the town of
Amritsar was illuminated on the return to it of Guru Hargobind
(1595-1644) who had been held captive in the Fort at Gwalior under the
orders of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir (1570-1627). As the sixth Guru
(teacher) of Sikhism, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment –
along with 53 Hindu Kings (who were held as political prisoners) whom
the Guru had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went
to the Darbar Sahib (Golden Temple) in the holy city of Amritsar, where
he was welcomed in happiness by the people who lit candles and diyas to
greet the Guru. Because of this, Sikhs often refer to Diwali also as
Bandi Chhorh Divas – "the day of release of detainees."The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.
In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and
the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians
regardless of faith.