It is Diwali time for us in India once again. The festival of lights, celebrated twenty days after the Dussehra festival, Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance".

Diwali also marks the start of the new business year with the worship of Lakshmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. We hope that this Diwali ushers in better times for all of us.

This year Diwali will be celebrated on 24th October.

Dhanteras is a unique festival celebrated one day before Diwali.

Considered an extremely auspicious day for buying gold or silver articles and new utensils, it is believed that such a purchase brings good luck. These days Dhanteras also sees heavy purchases of appliances and automobiles.

This year Dhanteras will be celebrated on 23rd October.

Govardhan Pooja is a Hindu festival that commemorates Lord Krishna's feat of lifting Govardhan mountain with his little finger. He did so to save the villagers of Govardhan from seven days of torrential rain sent down by the rain God, Lord Indra. Devotees not only pray to Lord Krishna in thanksgiving but also offer fifty six kinds of sweet dishes to Him. Traditionally, this festival is celebrated the day after Diwali, predominantly in north India.

This year Govardhan Pooja will be celebrated on 25th October.

Bhai Dooj is an auspicious occasion that celebrates the strong bonding between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for the well-being and longevity of their brothers against all the evils and bad fortune. In return, brothers pledge to love and take care of their sisters.

According to the one legend, Lord Krishna visited his sister, Subhadra, after killing the demon Narkasur. Subhadra gave a warm welcome to her brother and made the occasion really special through flowers and sweets. Subhadra also applied the ceremonial "tilak" or mark on the forehead of her brother and the festival of Bhai Dooj was born.

This year Bhai Dooj will be celebrated on 26th October.