A national holiday, Divali is usually celebrated during the months of October and November.
Affectionately described as the "festival of lights", Trinidad's celebration of Divali is one of the largest outside of India and pays homage to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess of light, wealth and prosperity.
Hindus celebrate Divali by conducting prayers, called Poojas. Family and friends are invited to share a sumptuous vegetarian meal and at dusk, everyone joins in lighting and placing the Deyas (small, oil burning clay lamps) around the home and yard.
Many Hindu temples and communities also host their own celebrations and the hundreds of gaily-flickering lights placed in different positions and patterns are a breathtaking sight to behold!