"Deepavali" literally means "row of lights". It is probably the best-known Hindu festival worldwide, but at its heart it is a very private gesture: an oil lamp on the doorstep — so that Sri Rama, returning to Ayodhya, finds the way. So that Lakshmi, goddess of abundance, steps into the house. So that the light inside recognises the light outside.
We celebrate the central evening with Lakshmi Pooja, the community lighting of hundreds of diyas in the temple courtyard, classical dance, bhajan and sweets — ladoo, barfi, jalebi, all hand-made. Come on time at 6 pm; by 10 the lamps have burnt out.