Think luminous streets, jazzed up homes and mouth-watering feasts.
Yes, celebration is in the air for millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Newar Buddhists across the globe who are observing Diwali — the Festival of Lights.
As a new moon comes into frame, the darkest night of the year is farewelled with great enthusiasm and grandeur.
Enter the season to laud the victory of good over evil.
What are the days of Diwali in 2022?
The five-day event begins on Saturday, October 22 and ends on Wednesday, October 26.
However, the third day marks the height of the celebration, coinciding with the end of the darkest day of the year.
The auspicious dates are guided by the lunisolar calendar, which considers the position of both the Sun and the Moon.
This means that Diwali falls on a different date every year but typically occurs between October and November.
How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali, also known as Divali, gets its name from the Sanskrit word Deepavali which means "row of lights".
The lights are symbolic in warding off evil spirits and overcoming darkness which is the overarching theme of the festival.
But it is also a time when faith, food, fireworks, family and charity are honoured as they each take centre stage on the different days of celebration.
The first day is all about prayer and preparation, in the name of prosperity.
Families visit places of worship and pray for good fortune and wealth.
Aside from cleaning homes, buying new clothes and ornaments are also customary, as gold and silver purchases are associated with luck.
Decorations are the main agenda for the second day.
Traditionally, the inside of homes are illuminated with radiant clay oil lamps called diyas to counter the darkness with hope, knowledge, and truth.
Diyas can also be found at the entrance of homes nestled within an elaborate design of Rangoli.
Rangolis are a sign of welcome for positive energies and good luck. At the same time, they also repel evil spirits and bad omens from entering homes.
Festive spirits peak on the third day of Diwali, which is the main highlight of the five-day event.
Some countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia also declare the day as a public holiday.
As families continue to pray for prosperity, they make sure to pull out all the stops to up-end the darkness and evil forces by decking out spaces with lights, candles and lanterns.
An extravagant display of lights such as fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers can also be expected to fill the streets in some countries.
On the fourth day, relatives, friends and neighbours exchange presents and well wishes in the spirit of giving.
The Festival of Lights ends with a lavish feast of traditional foods among siblings to celebrate the special family bond.
Sweetmeats are especially important to have in the mix as they signify forgetting bitterness and letting go the past.
How do I wish my friend happy Diwali?
Wishing those celebrating the festival a "Happy Diwali" will set you off to a great start.
Gifting sweet treats such as ladoo and barfi are also nice gestures for new beginnings.
If you're keen to join the celebration, plenty of local governments and community groups across Australia are hosting Diwali festivals where you would get to experience the best of cultural practices, crafts, and foods first-hand.
