What is Diwali and how is it celebrated in the UAE?

Casting some light on the five-day festivities that begin Friday

A group of colourful dancers from the Kumari Shiksha Dance Institution light colourful clay lamps in preparation to celebrate Diwali during the two day Diwali (Festival of Lights) Hindu festival celebrations at the old Drive-Inn in Durban, on October 19, 2019. The two-day festival attracts over 100,000 visitors. A billion Hindus worldwide will officially celebrate Diwali on October 27, 2019. AFP

An artist works on the face of a semi-finished clay idol of the Hindu goddess Kali in Siliguri on October 18, 2019. The worship of Hindu deity Kali takes place on October 27 in the eastern Indian states along with 'Diwali', the Festival of Lights, marking the victory of good over evil and commemorating the time when the Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. AFP

A woman picks globe amaranth flowers, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them to the market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Bhaktapur, Nepal October 21, 2019. Reuters

People light oil lamps during the Deep Utsav, or Light Festival, at the historical Gauhar Mahal palace, as part of the Diwali festival celebrations in Bhopal, India on October 18, 2019. The Diwali festival of lights symbolizes the victory of good over evil, commemorating Lord Ram's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing a 14-year exile. EPA

In this photograph taken on October 4, 2019, a boy colours a decorative item made of clay outside his residence at Kumhar Gram (Potter's Village) in New Delhi. The narrow lanes of Kumhar Gram are buzzing with activity ahead of Diwali as generations of potters race to create clay decorations for customers across the country - and beyond. Known as the "Potter's Village", the settlement is home to around 500 families from India's traditional pottery community, who moved to the area half a century ago. Photo: AFP

Visually impaired workers make candles in a workshop of the Blind School Relief Association in New Delhi on October 16, 2019. The association sells candles, oil lamps and paper products made by visually impaired trainees and workers ahead of Hindu festival 'Diwali,' or the festival of light. AFP / Sajjad Hussain

A woman paints idols of Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, and goddess of wealth Laxmi, which will be worshipped during Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at a workshop in Kolkata, India October 18, 2019. Reuters

On October 15, 2019, an Indian worker mixes gun powder to make firecrackers for the upcoming Hindu festival Diwali at a factory on the outskirts of Ahmadabad, India. Fire crackers are in huge demand in India during Diwali, the festival of lights. AFP

Workers dry out coloured polyster/silk yarn from which garlands are made ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Ahmedabad on October 17, 2019. Colourful garlands are in demand during the Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, which falls on October 27 this year. AFP

A worker arranges garlands made from coloured polyster/silk yarn ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Ahmedabad on October 17, 2019. Colourful garlands are in demand during the Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, which falls on October 27 this year. Photo: AFP

A worker makes garlands from coloured polyster/silk yarn ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Ahmedabad on October 17, 2019. Colourful garlands are in demand during the Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, which falls on October 27 this year. AFP

A worker dries out coloured polyster/silk yarn from which garlands are made ahead of the Hindu festival of Diwali in Ahmedabad on October 17, 2019. Colourful garlands are in demand during the Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, which falls on October 27 this year. AFP

A worker walks near semi-finished clay idols of the Hindu goddess Kali in Siliguri on October 18, 2019. The worship of Hindu deity Kali takes place on October 27 in the eastern Indian states along with 'Diwali', the Festival of Lights, marking the victory of good over evil and commemorating the time when the Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. AFP

A semi-finished clay idol of the Hindu goddess Kali is kept in sunlight to dry in Siliguri on October 18, 2019. The worship of Hindu deity Kali takes place on October 27 in the eastern Indian states along with 'Diwali', the Festival of Lights, marking the victory of good over evil and commemorating the time when the Hindu god Lord Rama achieved victory over Ravana. AFP

Women buy artificial jewellery and decorative items at a market ahead of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Ahmedabad, India, October 18, 2019. Reuters

epa07930511 An Indian clay artist works on an unfinished idol of the Goddess Kali ahead of the Diwali festival at Kumartuly district in Kolkata, eastern India,18 October 2019. Kali, the Goddess of Power, is worshiped during the Hindu festival. EPA

An Indian clay artist works on an unfinished face of Lord Shiva and Goddess Kali idols ahead of the Diwali festival at Kumartuly district in Kolkata, eastern India,18 October 2019. Kali, the Goddess of Power, is worshiped during the Hindu festival. EPA

In this picture taken on October 18, 2019 boys at Gotirth Vidyapeeth, a school for Hindu and vedic teachings, make cow dung patties in preparation to make them into small oil lamps to be used in the upcoming Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, in Ahmedabad. AFP

In this picture taken on October 18, 2019 girls at Gotirth Vidyapeeth, a school for Hindu and Vedic teachings, make cow dung patties in preparation to making them into small oil lamps to be used in the upcoming Hindu festival of Diwali, or Festival of Lights, in Ahmedabad. AFP

Vendors arrange decorated earthen lamps on a street ahead of Diwali festival in Gauhati, India, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. People buy earthen lamps to decorate their homes during Diwali, the annual Hindu festival of lights which will be celebrated on Oct 27. AP

A young Hindu devotee looks on during a street parade as part of the preparations of the two-days celebrations for the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights) at the old Drive-Inn in Durban, on October 19, 2019. The two-day festival attracts over 100,000 visitors. The festival celebrations include, parading of floats, chariots, singing of devotional songs, dances, games, face painting, food stalls of vegetarian food, clothing, display of toys and jewellery. YAFP

A group of colourful classical dancers from the Kumari Shiksha Dance Institution pose backstage before taking part during the two day Diwali (Festival of Lights) Hindu festival celebrations at the old Drive-Inn in Durban, on October 19, 2019. AFP

A devotee lights up a clay lamp at a makeshift Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu God Rama, as part of the preparations of the two-days celebrations for the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights) at the old Drive-Inn in Durban, on October 19, 2019. AFP

A group of youth adorning various Hindu gods and godesses gesture as they stand on a float during a street parade as part of the preparations of the two-days celebrations for the Diwali Hindu festival (Festival of Lights) at the old Drive-Inn in Durban, on October 19, 2019. AFP

A potter makes earthenware oil lamps or "Diyo" used to decorate temples and homes ahead of Tihar festival, also called Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Bhaktapur, Nepal. Reuters

A potter makes earthenware oil lamps or "Diyo" used to decorate temples and homes ahead of Tihar festival, also called Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, in Bhaktapur, Nepal October 20, 2019. Reuters

A woman picks globe amaranth flowers, used to make garlands and offer prayers, before selling them to the market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Bhaktapur, Nepal October 21, 2019. Reuters

Women work to make garland from the globe amaranth flowers, before selling them to the market for the Tihar festival, also called Diwali, in Bhaktapur, Nepal October 21, 2019. Reuters

Performers dance on the main stage during the 18th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 12, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland's biggest and most colourful cultural festivals in New Zealand, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. Photo by Phil Walter / Getty Images

Opposing politicians: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (R) and National Party leader Simon Bridges pictured on stage during the 18th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 12, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. Photo: Phil Walter / Getty Images

Performers dance on the main stage during the 18th Auckland Diwali Festival on October 12, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. The Auckland Diwali Festival is one of Auckland's biggest and most colourful cultural festivals in New Zealand, celebrating traditional and contemporary Indian culture. Photo by Phil Walter / Getty Images

Diwali or the Festival of Lights takes its name from the rows of oil lamps, electric lights or paper lanterns that decorate the homes, offices and public spaces of those who celebrate the holiday.

Indian schools in the UAE will be shut  for two to three days next week to allow for celebrations.

The festival of happiness, prosperity and light is spread over five days and celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world.

This year, the main day of Diwali falls on Sunday.

Many honour Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth during the festival. Legend has it that the goddess looks for homes where she will be welcomed, so people typically leave their windows and door open and light lamps in each room to invite her in.

Does the date change every year?

Diwali usually falls in October or November. The exact date changes every year because the Hindu calendar is lunar. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year.

The main festival is on Sunday, but festivities begin on Friday, a day called Dhanteras.

Where does Diwali get its name?

The word Diwali is derived from the ancient language Sanskrit and refers to a series of lights.

There are several legends linked to its origin.

For most, it marks the day that the Hindu god Ram accompanied by his wife Sita and brother Lakshman returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana.

It is said residents lit up the entire city with earthen lamps or diyas to welcome their king.

The festival is also celebrated as the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Others celebrate Diwali as the marriage of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, to Lord Vishnu, one of Hinduism’s main deities and who is known as the protector of the universe.

How do people celebrate in the UAE and around the world?

Days before the festival, Indians who celebrate clean out their homes and hang up lights on their balconies and window sills. They then invite friends and family over to celebrate.

People wear new clothes, bathe using oils, prepare festive meals, worship the goddess Lakshmi, light up their homes and set off fireworks at night.

The tradition of exchanging of gifts, sweets and dried fruits, is popular in the UAE, India and in other parts of the world where the festival is celebrated.

The floor and entrance of houses is decorated with flowers and intricate patterns called rangoli, a mixture of coloured powders, pastes, flowers and dyed rice.

What happens over the five days?

On the first day of Diwali, Dhanteras, it is considered auspicious and a sign of good luck to buy gold, silver objects or kitchen utensils.

It indicates the start of a new financial year with businesses opening a new book of accounts.

Any new business ventures typically start on this day.

The second day is sometimes called Chhoti Diwali or Small Diwali when elders insist all family members should wake up early and bathe using oils.

The third day, on Sunday, is the main day of the festival, is when people gather for Lakshmi puja, a prayer for happiness and prosperity to the goddess of wealth.

The fourth day marks the first day of the New Year when gifts and sweets are exchanged among family and friends.

Many celebrate this as annakut, a word that includes anna meaning grain. Large quantities of food are prepared at home or offered in temples.

The fifth and last day is called bhai dooj to rejoice the bond between brothers and sisters.

Foods to eat:

Sweets, savoury snacks and food are essential to the celebrations.

Some communities in the UAE and India prepare more than 50 varieties of food for Diwali that include desserts, samosas or other deep fried pastries and vegetarian curries.

The most popular are the sweets or mithai, preparations with condensed milk made at home or purchased in shops.

Well-known sweets range from kaju katli or almond slices and ball-shaped laddoos of cardamom, gram flour with variations that include dry fruits.

The fudge-like sweets are often coated with a thin silver leaf.

What is planned in the UAE?

Firework displays and concerts have been announced over the weekend by malls and developers across the Emirates featuring Bollywood singers and actors.