Diwali will arrive just as winter settles over India.

With days to go for the most important festival in the Hindu calendar, over-enthusiastic kids are already lighting up rockets and other firecrackers that emit flickering, glowing colour.

The festival of lights is celebrated in the Hindu month of Ashwin. Diwali or Deepavali signifies a row of lights.

There are many legends associated with this festival. In north India Diwali is the day Lord Ram returned from exile to rule Ayodhya after slaying Ravana. Homes are lit up with lamps, in the manner that Ayodhya was lit up for Ram's return.

In South India Diwali is the day when Krishna rid the world of the evil Narkasura in a fierce battle that nearly brought darkness upon the earth.

Diwali is also the day Vishnu checkmates the unscrupulous King Bali who had taken his consort Lakshmi prisoner. Vishnu, in the avatar of Vaman, frees her. Lakshmi is remembered on Diwali because it was on this day she brings dhan (wealth) and prosperity for all.