Diwali or Deepavali is also known as the Festival of lights. The celebration of Diwali starts with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. apart from India Deepawali is also celebrated in Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Mauritius and many other countries where Hindus are a sizable population. It is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated with families at home. During Diwali people clean their homes and do shopping. They decorate the homes with lights and Rangoli. In the evening, people light diyas and place them around their home. On Diwali the devotees perform the puja of Goddess Lakshmi and then celebrate the festival by lighting the firecrackers. They visit each others home and offer gifts & prasad. With Diwali the new samvatsar starts.