What happens at diwali and what does also what do u do?

DEEPAVALI or Diwali means "a row of lights". It falls on the last two days of the dark half of Kartik (October-November). For some it is a three-day festival. It commences with the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed the next day by the Narak Chaudas, the 14th day, and by Deepavali proper on the 15th day. There are various alleged origins attributed to this festival. Some hold that they celebrate the marriage of Lakshmi with Lord Vishnu. In Bengal the festival is dedicated to the worship of Kali. It also commemorates that blessed day on which the triumphant Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana. On this day also Sri Krishna killed the demon Narakasura. In South India people take an oil bath in the morning and wear new clothes. They partake of sweetmeats. They light fireworks which are regarded as the effigies of Narakasura who was killed on this day. They greet one another, asking, "Have you had your Ganges bath?" which actually refers to the oil bath that morning as it is regarded as purifying as a bath in the holy Ganges. Everyone forgets and forgives the wrongs done by others. There is an air of freedom, festivity and friendliness everywhere. This festival brings about unity. It instils charity in the hearts of people. Everyone buys new clothes for the family. Employers, too, purchase new clothes for their employees. Waking up during the Brahmamuhurta (at 4a.m.) is a great blessing from the standpoint of health, ethical discipline, efficiency in work and spiritual advancement. It is on Deepavali that everyone wakes up early in the morning. The sages who instituted this custom must have cherished the hope that their descendents would realise its benefits and make it a regular habit in their lives.

Diwali is the festival of lights. for Hindus, Sikhism, Buddhism, and Jainism. You eat many sweets and play with sparklers. The lights really symbolises that good always defeats evil. I would say it is one of the best indian holidays. Oh and Holi when you can play with coloured powder! Happy Diwali (:

well im not hindu but i know somethings well there was this demon god that was born to tow good gods and when that demon child grew up it started to do bad things so all the gods gathered and planned to vanquish the demon so when they went to the mom she said no bcus even though he killed people he was still her son. but she changed her mind and killed him so the hindus celebrated by cracking fire crackers and the lights represents the light that was there on earth after he was killed.

Well diwali is the fesitval of lites so think this you would probaly turn on all the lites and have a pooja

Erm, I am not a Hindu so I am not sure.. but I have a lot of close friends who are Hindus and they normally do "pooja", hindi word for praying to God, have parties and burst fire crackers and stuff. I think they have this concept that on Diwali, Laxmi Devi, the Goddess of money visits their house.. so they clean the whole place and stuff in respect. I am not sure of my answer though.. so no offence to anyone. I am just sharing what I know. Hope it helps. please answer mine: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuLMUcglhO6j.0TmGxiMm5bsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20081027132911AAUwW2v