India is the largest country in the Indian Subcontinent, bordering Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar; while Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia lie to the South-East in the Indian Ocean. It is the seventh largest country in the world by area and is second only to China in terms of population, with over one billion people.

As a result, India is an extremely diverse country, with vast differences in geography, culture, language and ethnicity across its expanse, enticing holidaymakers with the stimulation of the senses that this diversity brings. One of the ways this diversity manifests itself is through the many different holidays and festivals celebrated throughout the year, from Murharram, the Islamic New Year in January, to Holi, the Festival of Colour in March to India's Independence Day in August.

However, the biggest and most lavish festival in India is undoubtedly Diwali or Deepawali, celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. It is celebrated either in the month of October or November according to the Hindu calendar; in 2008 the festival will be held on the Tuesday the 28th of October.

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the Festival of Light, where lamps or lights signify the victory of good over evil within every human being. It is believed that Diwali originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest before winter. As a result, in India it generally signifies the end of the financial year in agrarian business. Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth in Hinduism, is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. In different Indian regions, Diwali is also a celebration of the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya, the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura and in honour of the day King Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of Vishnu.

Regardless of the reasons behind celebrating Diwali, it is enjoyed by people of every religion, creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Homes are decorated by hanging doorways with torans of marigolds and mango leaves. Rangolis are drawn with different coloured powders in symbols to bring luck, and are used to welcome guests. Oil diyas, or clay lamps, are arranged in and around the house in order to create a world of fantasy.

It is traditional to buy gifts for each other during Diwali, generally something for the house or jewellery for the women of the house. People also dress in new clothes and hold card parties in many homes, while at night spectacular fireworks displays light up the skies, with firecrackers going off continuously in the streets.

India holidays are always able to enrich holidaymakers, stimulating the senses and creating memories that last a lifetime, but experiencing the lively celebrations of Diwali, with the backdrop of the steady burning lamps and lights will truly illuminate the mind.

Isla Campbell writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.