Diwali 2026: Why Is Diwali Celebrated? Did Lord Ram Return to Ayodhya on This Day? | Read Here

Diwali 2026

Diwali falls on the Amavasya of the Kartik month. It is said that Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman ji returned to Ayodhya on this day after completing the 14 years of Vanvaas. Lord Ram defeated Ravan and returned to Ayodhya, and to celebrate this, the people of Ayodhya light diyas throughout the entire city. This act symbolises the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Since that day, this tradition has been followed till now.

Who is Lord Shri Ram? (The Seventh Incarnation of Lord Vishnu)

According to scriptures, whenever evil and injustice increase on Earth, Lord Vishnu incarnates in different forms to guide humanity toward truth. In the Treta Yuga, there was a King named Ravan, and when the cruelty of Ravan crossed its limits, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Lord Ram on Earth to end his wrongdoings and cruelty.

This incarnation of Lord Vishnu is in a completely human form. He lived as a human being and went through many challenges throughout his life. The Ramayana describes that his mother, Kaikeyi, asked a wish from King Dasharatha to send Ram on a Vanvas of 14 years, and to honour his father, King Dasharatha, he accepted it. His wife, Goddess Sita, and brother Lakshman accompanied him. He lived in the forest during the 14 years of the Vanvas period.

During their period of Vanvas, a lady named Shurpanakha saw Lord Ram and was attracted to him. When Ram respectfully refused her proposal, she became angry and began insulting Sita. Seeing this, his brother Lakshman could not control himself and cut off her nose.

Lord Vishnu's Incarnation as Lord Ram

After this incident, Shurpanakha felt humiliated and went to her brother Ravan, who was the king of Lanka. She filled her brother's mind with anger and jealousy toward Lord Ram and also described the divine beauty of Goddess Sita. Later, in arrogance, Ravan abducted Sita while she was alone in the forest and took her to Lanka. But Goddess Sita herself was the incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and knew his reality and intentions.

Victory of Lord Ram over Ravan

Upon learning about 'Sita Haran', Lord Ram gave Ravana several chances to send Goddess Sita back peacefully. But blinded by his pride and ego, Ravana refused to listen. This led to a war between Ram and Ravana, which lasted for ten days, and the tenth day is celebrated as Vijayadashami or Dussehra. The story shows that knowledge and power should never lead to arrogance and ego. Ravan was a scholar of scriptures, but his actions, ego, and wrongdoings led to his downfall.

Return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya

After defeating Ravana, Lord Ram, Goddess Sita, and Lakshman returned to Ayodhya along with Hanuman, Sugriva, Angad, and many devoted followers. To celebrate their return, the people of Ayodhya decorated the entire city with diyas. Since that day, Diwali has been celebrated as a festival of joy and lights.