The Story of Goddess Lakshmi’s Birth During Diwali: The Divine Emergence of Prosperity

Introduction: The Goddess Who Rose from the Cosmic Ocean

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrates more than just the victory of light over darkness. At its heart lies one of Hindu mythology’s most enchanting stories—the birth of Goddess Lakshmi, the divine embodiment of wealth, prosperity, beauty, and abundance. Her miraculous emergence from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan) marks a pivotal moment in creation itself, forever connecting her worship with this most luminous of festivals.

This is not merely an ancient tale but a living wisdom tradition that explains why we welcome Lakshmi into our homes on Diwali night, why we light countless diyas, and why this particular festival has become synonymous with prosperity and new beginnings. Understanding Lakshmi’s birth story reveals the profound spiritual truths embedded in Diwali celebrations across the world.

The Cosmic Context: When Gods and Demons United

The Curse of Sage Durvasa

Our story begins with a moment of divine pride and its consequences. Once, the great sage Durvasa, known for his fierce temper and powerful blessings, was wandering through the heavens when he encountered Lord Indra, the king of gods, riding majestically on his celestial elephant Airavata.

Sage Durvasa, pleased with his meditation, had received a sacred garland from Lord Shiva himself—a garland fragrant with divine flowers that never wilted, symbolizing eternal prosperity and divine grace. In a gesture of goodwill, the sage offered this precious garland to Indra.

However, Indra, intoxicated with power and pride, casually placed the sacred garland on Airavata’s head. The elephant, disturbed by the powerful fragrance, threw the garland to the ground and trampled it. This act of supreme disrespect to both the sage and the divine gift infuriated Durvasa.

The Terrible Curse

His eyes blazing with righteous anger, Sage Durvasa pronounced a devastating curse: “You have shown arrogance and disrespect for that which is sacred. Let Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, abandon the three worlds. Let wealth, fortune, and abundance drain away from gods and mortals alike!”

The curse took effect immediately. Goddess Lakshmi, who had been dwelling in the heavens, vanished. With her departure, the gods began losing their strength, vitality, and immortality. The celestial realms dimmed. The nectar of immortality (amrita) was no longer accessible. Flowers ceased to bloom, crops failed, and a deep darkness began spreading across creation.

The gods, once invincible, found themselves weakening day by day. Their enemies, the Asuras (demons), sensing this vulnerability, launched fierce attacks and began conquering the heavenly realms. Indra and the other gods faced their greatest crisis.

The Divine Solution: Churning the Ocean of Milk

Lord Vishnu’s Wisdom

In their desperation, the gods approached Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe, seeking his guidance. Vishnu, in his infinite wisdom, revealed that Goddess Lakshmi had not been destroyed but had returned to her primordial state, merging with the cosmic ocean of milk (Kshira Sagara)—the source of all creation.

“To bring her back,” Vishnu explained, “you must churn the ocean of milk. This churning will not only return Lakshmi but will also produce amrita, the nectar of immortality, which will restore your strength. However, this task is too great even for gods. You will need the help of your enemies, the Asuras.”

The Unlikely Alliance

Following Vishnu’s counsel, the gods approached the Asuras with a proposal: “Let us churn the ocean together. We will share equally whatever treasures emerge.” The Asuras, tempted by the promise of immortality and untold riches, agreed to this unprecedented alliance.

But there were practical challenges: What would serve as the churning rod? What rope could withstand such cosmic forces? Where would they anchor this operation?

The Cosmic Apparatus

Mount Mandara as the Churning Rod: The gods and demons chose Mount Mandara, a golden mountain of immense size, to serve as the churning rod. However, no one could uproot and transport this massive mountain. Lord Vishnu, taking the form of Garuda (the divine eagle), lifted Mandara and placed it in the center of the cosmic ocean.

Vasuki as the Rope: They needed a rope strong enough to spin the mountain. Vasuki, the king of serpents, agreed to serve this purpose. The gods held Vasuki’s tail while the Asuras, claiming superiority, insisted on holding the head—a choice they would soon regret as the serpent’s venomous breath would exhaust them throughout the churning.

Lord Vishnu as the Anchor: When the churning began, Mount Mandara started sinking into the ocean’s depths. Lord Vishnu took the form of Kurma (a giant tortoise) and dove beneath the ocean, offering his shell as a stable base for the mountain. Above, he appeared in his divine form, adding his strength to the churning.

The Great Churning Begins

With everything in place, gods and demons began pulling alternately on Vasuki, spinning Mount Mandara. The ocean churned with tremendous force, creating massive waves and whirlpools. The friction generated intense heat. As they pulled back and forth, the mountain acted as a cosmic churn, agitating the primordial waters from which all creation emerged.

Days turned to weeks, weeks to months, and still they churned. The effort was exhausting, testing the resolve of gods and demons alike. But Vishnu had promised that extraordinary treasures would emerge, and the churners persevered.

The Fourteen Treasures: What Emerged Before Lakshmi

As the churning intensified, the ocean began yielding its secrets. One by one, fourteen precious treasures (ratnas) emerged from the depths, each more wondrous than the last:

1. Halahala (The Deadly Poison)

The first thing to emerge was not a treasure but a terrible poison—Halahala, so toxic that its fumes threatened to destroy all creation. The gods and demons panicked. Who could contain this cosmic poison?

Lord Shiva, hearing the cries of distress, came forward. In an act of supreme compassion and sacrifice, he drank the entire poison to save creation. Goddess Parvati, in her wisdom, pressed her hand against Shiva’s throat to prevent the poison from descending to his stomach. The poison remained in his throat, turning it blue—thus Shiva became known as Neelakantha (the blue-throated one).

2. Kamadhenu (The Wish-Fulfilling Cow)

Next emerged Kamadhenu, the divine cow who could grant any wish and provide unlimited abundance. She was given to the seven sages (Saptarishis) to provide for all yagnas and sacred rituals.

3. Ucchaisravas (The Divine Horse)

A magnificent white horse with wings emerged—Ucchaisravas, the king of horses, faster than wind itself. The demon king Bali claimed him.

4. Airavata (The White Elephant)

The celestial elephant Airavata rose from the ocean, pure white with four tusks. Despite the irony, he was given back to Indra as his mount.

5. Kalpavriksha (The Wish-Fulfilling Tree)

A divine tree appeared that could grant any wish and bear any desired fruit. It was planted in Indra’s celestial garden.

6. Rambha (The Celestial Apsara)

The first of the celestial dancers emerged, representing art, beauty, and divine entertainment. She was followed by other apsaras.

7. Chandra (The Moon)

The brilliant moon god emerged, bringing cool, soothing light. Lord Shiva placed him in his matted locks, while Chandra’s light would illuminate the night.

8. Parijat (The Divine Flower Tree)

A tree bearing flowers of exquisite fragrance emerged, its blossoms never wilting. It too was planted in the celestial gardens.

9. Lakshmi (The Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity)

Finally, as the anticipation reached its peak, the ocean’s waters began glowing with golden light. Rose petals floated to the surface. The air filled with divine fragrance. And then, seated on a fully bloomed lotus, radiating beauty and grace beyond description, emerged Goddess Lakshmi.

10. Varuni (Goddess of Wine)

Following Lakshmi came Varuni, the goddess of wine and intoxication, accepted by the demons.

11. Dhanvantari (The Divine Physician)

The celestial physician emerged, carrying the ultimate prize—a golden pot containing amrita, the nectar of immortality.

12-14. Other Treasures

The remaining treasures included the Shankha (conch), the powerful bow, and precious gems.

The Magnificent Birth of Goddess Lakshmi

Her Divine Appearance

The moment Lakshmi emerged remains the most celebrated aspect of the churning. Ancient texts describe her appearance in breathtaking detail:

She rose from the waters seated on a fully bloomed thousand-petaled lotus (padma), symbolizing purity, spiritual enlightenment, and transcendence above the muddy waters of material existence. Her skin glowed with a golden radiance, as if she embodied the light of a thousand suns softened by the moon’s grace.

She was adorned with celestial jewels—necklaces, bangles, anklets, and a crown—all manifesting spontaneously from her divine essence. Her four hands held:

A lotus (representing beauty, purity, and spiritual enlightenment)
Gold coins flowing endlessly (representing material prosperity)
Her remaining hands were in abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and varada mudra (gesture of boon-giving)

Her eyes were compared to lotus petals, her smile to the gentle dawn, and her presence brought immediate transformation to everything around her.

The Sacred Welcoming Ceremony

As Lakshmi emerged, all of creation celebrated:

The Ocean’s Gift: The ocean itself, personified as an entity, offered her the first gifts—a garland of never-fading lotuses and a throne befitting her divine status.

Ganga’s Ablution: The sacred rivers, led by Ganga, came forward carrying golden vessels filled with holy water from all the sacred tirthas. They performed a ceremonial bath (abhishekam) for the goddess, purifying what was already pure as a mark of respect.

The Elephants’ Blessing: Divine elephants appeared, carrying golden pots filled with precious water from the celestial Ganga. They bathed her with their trunks, establishing the ritual of Gaja Lakshmi—Lakshmi blessed by elephants, a powerful symbol of royal prosperity and power.

The Cows’ Tribute: Sacred cows offered their milk, symbolizing nourishment and sustenance.

Celestial Musicians: Gandharvas (celestial musicians) sang her praises while apsaras (celestial dancers) performed, celebrating her birth with divine arts.

Spring’s Arrival: The season itself transformed. Flowers bloomed everywhere, fragrance filled the air, and a gentle breeze carried the message of prosperity’s return.

The Crucial Choice: Whom Would She Choose?

Now came the moment that would determine the fate of gods and demons alike. Both sides had contributed equally to her emergence. Both desired her presence. The Asuras, believing their strength and effort entitled them to her favor, stepped forward confidently.

The gods, weakened and humble from their trials, simply prayed with folded hands, their desperation evident.

Goddess Lakshmi, embodying divine wisdom, looked upon both groups. The demons represented brute force, power without righteousness, and strength without dharma. The gods, despite their earlier arrogance, represented order, dharma, and the maintenance of cosmic balance.

But her eyes moved beyond both groups and fell upon Lord Vishnu, who had orchestrated the entire churning while remaining focused not on claiming her but on restoring cosmic balance.

The Eternal Union

In that moment, Goddess Lakshmi recognized her eternal companion. She walked past gods and demons alike, carrying a garland of lotuses, and placed it around Lord Vishnu’s neck, choosing him as her consort for eternity.

This wasn’t merely a choice of partnership—it was a cosmic principle manifesting: Prosperity (Lakshmi) can only sustain where there is preservation and dharma (Vishnu). Wealth without righteousness leads to destruction, but prosperity aligned with divine purpose sustains creation.

Vishnu and Lakshmi thus became the divine couple representing the perfect balance of power and prosperity, righteousness and abundance, preservation and sustenance.

The demons, enraged by her choice, protested and even attempted to claim her by force, setting the stage for the subsequent battle over amrita. But that is another story.

The Diwali Connection: Why We Celebrate Lakshmi on This Night

The Timing of Her Birth

According to ancient calculations and astrological traditions, Lakshmi’s emergence from the ocean occurred on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik—the exact night we now celebrate as Diwali.

This cosmic birth on the darkest night of the year carries profound symbolism:

Light emerging from darkness
Prosperity rising from the primordial void
Hope manifesting in the deepest despair
Beauty blooming from chaos

Why We Light Diyas

The tradition of lighting countless lamps on Diwali directly relates to Lakshmi’s birth:

Welcoming Her Return: Just as the gods lit up the entire universe to celebrate Lakshmi’s emergence, we light our homes to welcome her. Each diya represents our invitation, our readiness to receive her blessings.

Dispelling Darkness: Lakshmi emerged bringing light to a darkened world. Our lamps commemorate this cosmic illumination.

Showing the Way: In ancient times, when Lakshmi walked upon the earth, people lit lamps to show her the path to their homes. This tradition continues as we light doorways, windows, and pathways.

The Lotus Connection: The diya’s shape resembles a lotus—Lakshmi’s sacred flower and the seat from which she emerged.

The Ritual of Lakshmi Puja

Every element of Diwali’s Lakshmi Puja connects to her birth story:

The Kalash (Water Pot): Represents the cosmic ocean from which she emerged. We fill it with water and place mango leaves, symbolizing the ocean’s bounty.

The Lotus: Her divine seat, offered during puja to honor her original throne.

Gold Coins and Wealth: Reminds us of the golden coins flowing from her hands, representing endless prosperity.

The Conch (Shankha): One of the treasures that emerged with her, used in her worship to invoke her presence.

Red Kumkum and Turmeric: Symbolize her divine radiance and auspiciousness.

Sweets and Fruits: Offered as the ocean offered its bounty to her.

New Clothes: Just as celestial beings adorned her with divine garments, we wear new clothes to honor her arrival.

The Spiritual Significance

Beyond the material celebration, Lakshmi’s birth story teaches profound truths:

From Churning Comes Prosperity: Just as the ocean had to be churned vigorously, we must work diligently for prosperity. Lakshmi doesn’t come to the idle or passive.

Poison Before Nectar: Halahala (poison) emerged before all treasures, teaching that difficulties often precede success. We must face and overcome challenges before prosperity arrives.

Dharma Attracts Lakshmi: She chose Vishnu (dharma) over the powerful demons, teaching that prosperity sustains only where there is righteousness.

Cooperation Over Competition: Gods and demons had to work together for her emergence, showing that cooperation yields greater results than conflict.

Humility Welcomes Her: The humble prayers of weakened gods attracted her more than the arrogant demands of powerful demons.

Regional Variations of the Story

Bengali Tradition

In Bengal, Lakshmi is celebrated as one aspect of Durga, and her emergence is seen as the manifestation of Shakti (divine feminine energy). The churning represents the awakening of kundalini energy.

South Indian Perspective

South Indian traditions emphasize Lakshmi as Sri, the goddess already existing before the churning. Her “emergence” represents her choosing to manifest in visible form to bless creation.

North Indian Understanding

North Indian traditions focus on the romantic aspect—Lakshmi and Vishnu’s eternal love story, with the churning bringing them together in visible form.

Western Indian Folklore

Gujarat and Maharashtra have folk songs describing Lakshmi’s journey from the ocean to every home, explaining regional Diwali customs.

Lakshmi’s Symbolism: Understanding the Deeper Meaning

Her Four Hands

Each hand carries specific meaning:

Lotus: Spiritual enlightenment and detachment despite abundance
Gold coins: Material prosperity and worldly success
Abhaya mudra: Fearlessness and protection from fear of poverty
Varada mudra: Blessing and generosity, granting boons

Her Vehicle: The Owl

Lakshmi rides an owl (uluka), which seems paradoxical since owls represent darkness while she represents illumination. This teaches:

Prosperity must be pursued with wisdom even in darkness (uncertain times)
Material wealth needs spiritual sight to use properly
Day and night (fortune and misfortune) are both her domains

Her Lotus Seat

The lotus growing in muddy water yet remaining pure symbolizes:

Remaining untouched by material world despite being in it
Spiritual purity amid material abundance
Rising above circumstances to bloom beautifully

Her Association with Elephants (Gaja Lakshmi)

Elephants represent:

Royal power and authority
Strength combined with gentleness
Wisdom and memory
Prosperity that’s grounded and stable

Practical Wisdom: Inviting Lakshmi Into Your Life

The Five Principles from Her Birth

1. Persistent Effort (Churning): The gods and demons churned for months before Lakshmi emerged. Success requires sustained effort, not sporadic attempts.

2. Cooperation: Enemies worked together. We must collaborate, network, and build alliances for prosperity.

3. Divine Timing: Lakshmi emerged when the time was right, not before. Patience combined with effort yields results.

4. Overcoming Obstacles: Poison came first. Every path to prosperity has obstacles that must be faced, not avoided.

5. Alignment with Dharma: Lakshmi chose Vishnu. Prosperity sustains only when earned and used righteously.

Modern Applications

In Career:

Persistent skill development (churning)
Team collaboration (gods + demons)
Ethical business practices (dharma)
Patience during career building
Facing setbacks courageously (poison before nectar)

In Finances:

Regular saving and investing (sustained churning)
Diversified income sources (multiple treasures)
Charitable giving (Lakshmi’s generosity)
Long-term perspective
Ethical wealth creation

In Relationships:

Continuous nurturing (churning)
Partnership and cooperation
Patience during difficulties
Choosing partners with values (as Lakshmi chose Vishnu)

In Spiritual Life:

Regular practice (daily churning)
Community support
Faith during dark periods
Choosing righteous path
Balancing material and spiritual

Celebrating Lakshmi’s Birth: Diwali Rituals Explained

Preparing Your Home

Cleaning (Shuddhi): Before Lakshmi’s emergence, the ocean was churned to purity. We clean homes to create a pure space worthy of her.

Decoration (Alankara): Just as celestial beings decorated her, we decorate homes with rangoli, flowers, and lights.

Lighting Lamps (Deepa): Continuing the tradition of celebrating her birth with light.

The Puja Sequence

1. Sankalpa (Sacred Intention): Declaring your intention to worship Lakshmi, just as gods intended to bring her forth.

2. Invoking Ganesha: Removing obstacles, as obstacles were removed during churning.

3. Kalash Sthapana: Establishing the pot representing the cosmic ocean.

4. Lakshmi Dhyana: Meditating on her form emerging from the lotus.

5. Shodashopachara: 16 forms of worship, each representing a treasure that emerged.

6. Lakshmi Ashtottara (108 names): Honoring her divine qualities.

7. Aarti: The lamp offering, symbolizing our light welcoming her light.

8. Prasad Distribution: Sharing the ocean’s bounty with all.

Specific Offerings and Their Meanings

Lotus Flowers: Her birth throne—offered to honor her origin.

Milk and Honey: Given by sacred cows during her bath—offered to recall that ceremony.

Gold or Silver Coins: Representing the endless flow from her hands.

Sweets (Mithais): The sweetness of prosperity and abundance.

Fruits: The earth’s bounty, mirror of ocean’s bounty.

New Currency Notes: Modern representation of her blessing of prosperity for the coming year.

The Astrological and Cosmic Significance

Kartik Amavasya: The Darkest Night

Lakshmi’s birth on the new moon (no moon) night carries deep significance:

Astronomical: The darkest night represents the void from which creation emerges. Lakshmi manifested from this cosmic darkness.

Astrological: Kartik Amavasya is considered highly auspicious for new beginnings, wealth creation, and spiritual practices.

Energetic: The new moon represents potential energy—like the unmanifest state before Lakshmi’s emergence. Diwali harnesses this energy for manifestation.

Planetary Alignments

According to Vedic astrology:

The specific constellation (nakshatra) during her birth was Swati—associated with independence and prosperity
Jupiter’s (Guru’s) position blesses financial gains
Venus’s (Shukra’s) influence enhances beauty and material comforts

The Annual Renewal

Each Diwali, we ritually “re-enact” Lakshmi’s birth:

The cleaned, decorated home becomes the “churned ocean”—pure and ready
The puja becomes the “welcoming ceremony”
The diyas become the “celebration lights”
Our prayers become the “invitation” for her to choose our home

Lessons for Modern Life

For Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

The Churning Principle: Like the gods and demons, success requires sustained effort. There’s no shortcut to bringing Lakshmi into your business.

Collaboration Over Competition: Even rivals worked together. Modern business thrives on partnerships, networks, and collaborative ecosystems.

Handling Setbacks: Poison emerged first. Business failures, market downturns, and challenges are part of the journey to success.

Value Alignment: Lakshmi chose dharma. Businesses built on ethical foundations sustain; those built on exploitation eventually fail.

Divine Timing: Not all treasures emerged at once. Business success has its own timeline—patience is crucial.

For Professionals and Employees

Continuous Improvement: The churning never stopped until success came. Continuous learning and skill development are essential.

Team Spirit: Gods and demons collaborated. Workplace success requires teamwork, not individual heroism.

Resilience: Facing the poison (difficult projects, demanding bosses, setbacks) is part of the path to success.

Ethics: Aligning with dharma (company values, professional ethics) ensures long-term career prosperity.

For Students

Persistent Effort: Consistent study (churning) eventually produces results (Lakshmi/success).

Overcoming Difficulties: Difficult subjects or failure (poison) come before success (treasures).

Right Choices: Choosing education path aligned with values and aptitudes (as Lakshmi chose Vishnu).

Patience: Results may not be immediate, but sustained effort guarantees success.

For Spiritual Seekers

Inner Churning: The ocean is your consciousness. Meditation and practice are the churning. Lakshmi represents spiritual abundance—peace, wisdom, bliss.

Purifying Process: Facing your inner “poison” (negative tendencies) before attaining treasures (enlightenment).

Divine Union: Like Lakshmi and Vishnu, seeking union of individual soul with divine consciousness.

Balance: Maintaining balance between material life (Lakshmi) and spiritual practice (Vishnu).

The Goddess’s Favorite: How to Please Lakshmi

What Attracts Her

According to scriptures and tradition, Lakshmi is attracted to:

Cleanliness (Shuddhi): Physical cleanliness of spaces and personal hygiene.

Beauty and Order (Sundara): Well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing environments.

Fragrance (Sugandha): Sweet scents from flowers, incense, or natural sources.

Light (Jyoti): Well-lit spaces, both naturally and with lamps.

Generosity (Dana): Those who share wealth and help others.

Gratitude (Kritagyata): Appreciation for what you have rather than constant complaint.

Dharma (Righteousness): Ethical conduct in earning and spending.

Respect for Women: Honoring the feminine principle in all forms.

What Repels Her

Lakshmi leaves homes where there is:

Uncleanliness: Dirty, cluttered, unkempt spaces.

Laziness: Sloth and lack of effort or ambition.

Disrespect: Particularly towards women, elders, and guests.

Excessive Grief: Constant sadness and negativity.

Ungratefulness: Never being satisfied, always complaining.

Unethical Earning: Wealth gained through cheating, exploitation, or harm.

Disharmony: Constant fighting and family discord.

Disrespect to Learning: Disregard for education and knowledge.

The Global Lakshmi: Diwali Worldwide

How Different Cultures Celebrate Her Birth

India: Grand celebrations with elaborate pujas, decorations, and community gatherings. Regional variations in customs but universal worship of Lakshmi.

Nepal: Tihar festival, especially Day 3 (Lakshmi Puja), with elaborate light displays and worship.

Sri Lanka: Tamil and Sinhala communities celebrate with cultural variations but common themes of light and prosperity.

Southeast Asia: Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia—large Hindu populations maintain elaborate Diwali traditions.

Caribbean: Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname—indentured labor descendants preserve authentic traditions.

Western Countries: Growing Diwali celebrations in USA, Canada, UK, Australia with public events and temple ceremonies.

Lakshmi’s Universal Appeal

Interestingly, even non-Hindu cultures resonate with Lakshmi’s symbolism:

Fortune goddesses exist in most cultures (Fortuna in Roman, Benzaiten in Japanese)
The lotus symbol is universally recognized
Light festivals exist across cultures
Prosperity and abundance are universal human desires

This universal appeal makes Lakshmi’s story accessible across cultural boundaries.

Conclusion: The Eternal Emergence

The story of Goddess Lakshmi’s birth is not merely ancient mythology—it’s a living wisdom tradition that speaks powerfully to every generation. Each Diwali, we don’t just commemorate a past event; we participate in an eternal truth: prosperity, abundance, and grace can emerge from the churning challenges of our lives.

Like the cosmic ocean that had to be churned vigorously, our own lives require effort, perseverance, and faith. Like the gods who had to face poison before treasures, we too must overcome obstacles on our path to success. And like Lakshmi who chose dharma over brute power, our prosperity sustains only when aligned with righteousness.

This Diwali, as you light your lamps and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, remember:

Each diya you light celebrates her cosmic birth
Each prayer you offer echoes the ancient welcome given to her
Each act of cleaning and decorating prepares your space to receive her
Each ethical action you take aligns you with the dharma she chose

May the goddess who emerged from cosmic waters to illuminate creation grace your life with prosperity, wisdom, and divine abundance.

May your own life’s churning yield treasures beyond measure.

May you welcome her not just on Diwali but every day through your actions, thoughts, and choices.

Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha

Happy Diwali! May Goddess Lakshmi bless you and your family with eternal prosperity, health, and happiness.

This story has been told and retold for thousands of years, passing from grandparents to grandchildren, from teachers to students, keeping alive the beautiful tradition of divine wisdom. May it inspire you to create your own prosperity story, aligned with dharma, sustained by effort, and blessed by the grace of Goddess Lakshmi.

Shubh Deepavali