Diwali is known as the festival of lights because it represents light over darkness. The festival celebrates Rama Chandra. He returned home after 14 years away fighting demons. He was able not just to fight them but conquer them. His fight showed that the good of people could beat the devils in others.
Diwali is a five-day festival to celebrate just that. It is used to celebrate the concept of good over evil. Homes, churches, temples, and businesses are brightly illuminated to show that good will always win. There are so many lights lit up around this time, which is why it is called this.
The term “Festival of Lights” is very appropriate for Diwali probably because of the main reason why this is being celebrated in the first place. This shows that light will always be stronger than darkness. This explains why it will be easier to see a source of light when you are in a dark tunnel. A lot of people who celebrate Diwali will usually set off a lot of fireworks.
There are so many fireworks displays that they can watch in a span of five days. They will also light different candles that they call "diyas" to commemorate the festival. This may be a celebration done by Hindus but this is also recognized by Buddhists, Janists, and Sikhs.
D. Jewel, Assistant Manager, MA in English, California
Answered Oct 16, 2019
Diwali is known as the festival of lights because the majority of the stories that brought about the celebration represent one thing, and that is the promotion of the kingdom of light and the destruction of the kingdom of darkness. This explanation is just the spiritual interpretation that can be given to the festival. According to history, Diwali marks the day when Rama-Chandra returned to Ayodhya after spending so many years in exile. He could return because he was able to conquer a demon king Known as Ravana and his demons.
His people were so delighted to see him coming back to them. However, his encounters were described as the victory of light over darkness. Diwali is also known as the victory of good over evil. And when you look at the various things people do when observing the festival, you will be well enlightened about why people choose to refer to it as the festival of lights.