Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival of lights celebrated every year in autumn in the northern

hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere).[4][5] It is an official holiday

in Fiji, Guyana, India,[6] Pakistan,[7] Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri
Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. One of the major festivals of Hinduism, it spiritually
signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope
over despair.[8][9][10] Its celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors
and windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries where it is
observed.[11] The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but the
main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu
Lunisolar month Kartika in Bikram Sambat calendar. In the Gregorian calendar, Diwali night falls
between mid-October and mid-November.
Before Diwali night, people clean, renovate, and decorate their homes and offices.[12] On Diwali
night, people dress up in new clothes or their best outfit, light up diyas (lamps and candles)
inside and outside their home, participate in family puja (prayers) typically to Lakshmi the
goddess of fertility and prosperity. After puja, fireworks follow,[13] then a family feast
including mithai (sweets), and an exchange of gifts between family members and close friends.
Deepavali also marks a major shopping period in nations where it is celebrated.[14]
The name of festive days as well as the rituals of Diwali vary significantly among Hindus, based
on the region of India. In many parts of India,[15] the festivities start with Dhanteras (in Northern
and Western part of India), followed by Naraka Chaturdasi on second day, Deepavali on the third
day, Diwali Padva dedicated to wifehusband relationship on the fourth day, and festivities end
with Bhai Doojdedicated to sisterbrother bond on the fifth day. Dhanteras usually falls eighteen
days after Dussehra.
On the same night that Hindus celebrate Diwali, Jains celebrate a festival also called Diwali to
mark the attainment of moksha by Mahavira,[16][17] Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the
release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal Empire prison,[18] and Newar Buddhists, unlike the
majority of Buddhists, celebrate Diwali by worshipping Lakshmi.[19][20]
Contents
[hide]

1Etymology
2History
3Significance
4Description and rituals
5Regional variations
6Outside India
7Economics of Diwali
8Issues
9Diwali prayers
10Notes
11References
12External links

Etymology
Diwali celebrations

Indoor Diya decoration on Naraka

Outdoor Diya decoration on

Chaturdasi night

Diwali night

Diwali lanterns

As Tihar in Nepal

before Dhanteras in Maharashtra

Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas

Diwali night fireworks over a city

celebrations in Amritsar

(Chennai)

Diwali Mithai (sweets)

Diwali Lamps

Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts

and flavors. The festivities vary between different regions. [11][21][22]

Diwali (English pronunciation: /dwli/)[4] or Sanskrit dpvali means "series of lights",[23] and is
derived from dpa "light, lamp"[24][25] and vali "series, line, row".[26] Diwali is also known
as dpotsava "festival of lights".
The holiday is known as dpavai in Kannada: , Malayalam: ,
and Telugu: , dipawoli in Assamese: , dipaboli or dipali in Bengali: /
, dipbali in Odia: , divl in Hindi: , dvl in Punjabi: , divi in Gujarati:
, Marathi: ,
and Konkani: , diyr in Sindhi: , tpvai in Tamil: , Galungan in Balinese a
nd Swanti in Nepali: or tihar in Nepali: .

History

Diwali dates back to ancient times in India, as a festival after the summer harvest in the Hindu
calendar month of Kartika. The festival is mentioned in Sanskrit texts such as the Padma Purana,
the Skanda Purana both completed in second half of 1st millennium AD but believed to have
been expanded from a core text from an earlier era. The diyas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda
Purana to symbolically represent parts of sun, the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life, who
seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.[21][27]
Hindus in some regions of India associate Diwali with the legend of Yama and Nachiketa on
Kartika amavasya (Diwali night).[28] The Nachiketa story about right versus wrong, true wealth
versus transient wealth, knowledge versus ignorance is recorded in Katha Upanishad composed
in 1st millennium BC.[29]
King Harsha in the 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda mentions Deepavali
as Deepapratipadutsava (Deepa = light, pratipada = first day, utsava = festival), where lamps
were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms were given gifts.[30][31]Rajasekhara referred to
Deepavali as Dipamalika in his 9th century Kavyamimamsa, where in he mentions the tradition of
homes being whitewashed and oil lamps decorating homes, streets and markets in the
night.[30] The Persian traveller and historian Al Biruni, in his 11th century memoir on India, wrote
Deepavali being celebrated by Hindus on New Moon day of the month of Kartika.[32]

Significance
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Diwali is one of the happiest holidays in India and Nepal with significant preparations. People
clean their homes and decorate them for the festivities. Diwali is one of the biggest shopping
seasons in India and Nepal; people buy new clothes for themselves and their families, as well as
gifts, appliances, kitchen utensils, even expensive items such as cars and gold
jewellery.[33]People also buy gifts for family members and friends which typically include sweets,
dry fruits, and seasonal specialties depending on regional harvest and customs. It is also the
period when children hear ancient stories, legends about battles between good and evil or light
and darkness from their parents and elders. Girls and women go shopping and create rangoli
and other creative patterns on floors, near doors and walkways. Youth and adults alike help with
lighting and preparing for patakhe (fireworks).[22][34]
There is significant variation in regional practices and rituals. Depending on the region, prayers
are offered before one or more deities, with most common being Lakshmi the goddess of
wealth and prosperity. On Diwali night, fireworks light up the neighborhood skies. Later, family
members and invited friends celebrate the night over food and sweets.[22][34]

Spiritual significance
Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and some Buddhists[19] to mark different
historical events, stories but they all symbolise the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over
ignorance, good over evil, hope over despair.[8][9][35]
The mythical stories told for Diwali vary regionally and within the traditions of Hinduism.[36] Yet,
they all point to joy and the celebration of Diwali with lights to be a reminder of the importance of
knowledge, self inquiry, self-improvement, knowing and seeking the good and the right path. It is
a metaphor for resisting evil, for dispelling darkness and for compassion to others.[37] Diwali is the
celebration of this inner light over spiritual darkness,[38] of knowledge over ignorance and right
over wrong.[39][40] It is a festive restatement of the Hindu belief that the good ultimately triumphs
over evil.[41]

Hinduism

Diwali is celebrated in the honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

The religious significance of Deepavali varies regionally within India, depending on the school of
Hindu philosophy, regional, legends, and beliefs.[8][36]

Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali in honor of the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and
his brother Lakshmana from exile of 14 years after Rama defeated Ravana. To honor the return
of Lord Rama, Sita and Lakshmana from Lanka and to illuminate their path, villagers
light Diyas to celebrate the triumph of good over evil.[42] For some, Diwali also celebrates the
return of Pandavas after 12 years of Vanvas and one year of "Agyatavas" in Mahabharata.
Furthermore, Deepavali is linked to the celebration of Lakshmi, who is venerated amongst
Hindus as the goddess of wealth and prosperity and is the wife of Lord Vishnu. The 5-day festival
of Diwali begins on the day Goddess Lakshmi was born from the churning of cosmic ocean of
milk by the Devas (gods) and the Asuras (demons); while the night of Diwali is the day Lakshmi
chose Vishnu as her husband and they were married.[21][43] Along with Lakshmi, devotees make
offerings to Ganesha, who symbolizes ethical beginnings and fearless remover of
obstacles; Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kubera, who symbolizes
book-keeping, treasury and wealth management.[21] Other Hindus believe that Diwali is the day
Vishnu came back to Lakshmi and their abode in the Vaikuntha; so those who worship Lakshmi
receive the benefit of her good mood, and therefore are blessed with mental, physical and
material wellbeing during the year ahead.[44]
Hindus in India's eastern region, such as Odisha and West Bengal, worship the
goddess Kali instead of Lakshmi, and call the festival Kali Puja.[45][46] In India's Braj and north
central regions, the god Krishna is recognized. People mark Mount Govardhan, and celebrate
legends about Krishna. In other regions, the feast of Govardhan Puja (or Annakoot) is
celebrated, with 56 or 108 different cuisines prepared, offered to Krishna, then shared and
celebrated by the local community.
In West and certain Northern parts of India, the festival of Diwali marks the start of a new Hindu
year.

Sikhism
Main article: Bandi Chhor Divas
Diwali for Sikhs marks the Bandi Chhor Divas, when Guru Har Gobind freed himself and some
Hindu Rajahs, from the Gwalior Fort, from the prison of the Mughal emperor, Jahangir, and
arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Ever since then, Sikhs celebrate Bandi Choorh Divas,
with the annual lighting up of Golden Temple, fireworks and other festivities. In the post-Guru
Gobind Singh era, Sarbat Khalsa used to meet on Diwali and Baisakhi to discuss important
issues concerning Sikh community.[47]

Jainism
Main article: Diwali (Jainism)
Diwali has special significance in Jainism. Lord Mahavira, the last of the Tirthankar of this era,
attained Nirvana on this day at Pavapuri on 15 October 527 BCE, on Kartik Krishna Amavasya.
According to the Kalpasutra by Acharya Bhadrabahu, 3rd century BC, many gods were present
there, illuminating the darkness.[48] Therefore, Jains celebrate Diwali as a day of remembering
Mahavira. On Diwali morning, Nirvan Ladoo is offered after praying to Lord Mahavira in all Jain
temples all across the world. Gautam Gandhar Swami, the chief disciple of Lord Mahavira
achieved omniscience(Kevala Gyan) later the same day.

Buddhism
The Newar people in Nepal, who are Buddhist and revere various deities in
the Vajrayana tradition, celebrate the festival by worshipping Lakshmi.[19][20] The Newar Buddhists
in Nepalese valleys celebrate the Diwali festival over five days, in the same way and on the same
days as the Hindu Diwali-Tihar festival.[49] According to Robinson, this traditional celebration by
Buddhists in Nepal, involving Lakshmi and Vishnu during Diwali, reflects the freedom granted in
the Mahayana Buddhism tradition to worship any deity.[19]
In Myanmar, a predominantly Theravada Buddhist community, two festival of lights called
the Thadingyut Festival and the Tazaungdaing festival mark. One occurs before, and another
after Diwali but each on full moon. These mark the events in Buddha's life, such as his return

from Tavatimsa heaven.[50] Lights decorate home and temples, and people worship at Burmese
pagodas.[51]

Description and rituals

Diwali is a five-day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on the new moon
the darkest night at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month
of Kartika. In the Common Era calendar, Diwali typically falls towards the end of October, or first
half of November each year. The darkest night of autumn lit with diyas, candles and lanterns,
makes the festival of lights particularly memorable.[52] Diwali is also a festival of sounds and
sights with fireworks and rangoli designs; the festival is a major celebration of flavors with feasts
and numerous mithai (sweets, desserts),[23] as well as a festival of emotions where Diwali ritually
brings family and friends together every year.[22][34]
Rituals and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance. The festival formally begins
two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. Each day has the following
rituals and significance:[21][53][54]

Lighting candle and clay lamp in their house and at temples during Diwali night

Dhanteras (Day 1)
Main article: Dhanteras
Dhanteras (celebrated in Northern and Western part of India) starts off the five day festival.
Starting days before and through Dhanteras, houses and business premises are cleaned,
renovated and decorated. Women and children decorate entrances with Rangoli creative
colourful floor designs both inside and in the walkways of their homes or offices. Boys and men
get busy with external lighting arrangements and completing all renovation work in progress. For
some, the day celebrates the churning of cosmic ocean of milk between the forces of good and
forces of evil; this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity,
and the birthday of Dhanvantari the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras,
diyas (lamps) are ritually kept burning all through the nights in honor of Lakshmi and
Dhanvantari.[21][43][55]
Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders
and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in
the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of
sustenance and prosperity.

Naraka Chaturdasi (Day 2)

Main article: Naraka Chaturdashi
Narak Chaturdasi is the second day of festivities, and is also called Choti Diwali. The Hindu
literature narrates that the asura (demon) Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna,
Satyabhama and Kali. The day is celebrated by early morning religious rituals and festivities
followed on. This day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu, goa and karnataka.
Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before
Narak Chaturdasi. Special bathing rituals such as a fragrant oil bath are held in some regions,
followed by minor pujas. Women decorate their hands with henna designs. Families are also
busy preparing homemade sweets for main Diwali.

Lakshmi Puja (Day 3)

Main article: Lakshmi Puja

Sweets Mithai (Dessert) are popular across India for Diwali Celebration

The third day is the main festive day. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening
approaches. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional
deities depending on the region of India; typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera.[21] Lakshmi
symbolises wealth and prosperity, and her blessings are invoked for a good year ahead.[56]
Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people open
their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and
balcony ledges to invite her in. On this day, the mothers who work hard all year, are recognized
by the family and she is seen to embody a part of Lakshmi, the good fortune and prosperity of
the household.[23] Small earthenware lamps filled with oil are lighted and placed in rows by some
Hindus along the parapets of temples and houses. Some set diyas adrift on rivers and streams.
Important relationships and friendships are also recognized during the day, by visiting relatives
and friends, exchanging gifts and sweets.[9][10][57]
After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks). The children
enjoy sparklers and variety of small fireworks, while adults enjoy playing with ground chakra,
Vishnu chakra, flowerpots (anaar), sutli bomb, rockets and bigger fireworks.[58] The fireworks
signify celebration of Diwali as well a way to chase away evil spirits.[59][60] After fireworks, people
head back to a family feast, conversations and mithai (sweets, desserts).[21]

Padwa, Balipratipada (Day 4)

Main article: Balipratipada
The day after Diwali, is celebrated as Padwa. This day ritually celebrates the love and mutual
devotion between the wife and husband.[21] The husbands give thoughtful gifts, or elaborate ones
to respective spouses. In many regions, newly married daughters with their husbands are invited
for special meals. Sometimes brothers go and pick up their sisters from their in-laws home for
this important day. The day is also a special day for the married couple, in a manner similar to
anniversaries elsewhere in the world. The day after Diwali devotees perform Goverdhan puja in
honor of Lord Krishna.
Diwali also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of India, where the Hindu Vikram
Samvat calendar is popular. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a
new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.

Bhai Duj, Bhaiya Dooji (Day 5)

Main article: Bhau-beej
The last day of festival is called Bhai dooj (Brother's second) or Bhai tika in Nepal, where it is the
major day of the festival. It celebrates the sister-brother loving relationship, in a spirit similar
to Raksha Bandhan but with different rituals. The day ritually emphasizes the love and lifelong
bond between siblings. It is a day when women and girls get together, perform a puja with
prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of food-sharing, gift-giving and
conversations. In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would travel to meet
their sisters, or bring over their sister's family to their village homes to celebrate their sisterbrother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.[21]

Festival of peace
On this festive occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes,
kindness, and for peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian
forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali.
The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of
Pakistani sweets.[61]

Regional variations
New Year celebrations
See also: New Year

The Marwari New Year is celebrated on the day of the festival of Diwali, which is the last
day Krishna Paksha of Ashvin month and also last day of the Ashvin month of Hindu
calendar.
The Gujarati New Year is celebrated the day after the festival of Diwali (which occurs in midfall either October or November, depending on the Lunar calendar). The Gujarati New Year
is synonymous with sud ekam i.e. first day of Shukla paksha of the Kartik month -, which is
taken as the first day of the first month of Gujarati lunar calendar. Most other Hindus
celebrate the New Year in the spring Baisakhi. Gujarati community all over the world
celebrates the New Year after Diwali to mark the beginning of a new fiscal year.
The Nepal Era New year is celebrated by the ethnic Newari in the Kathmandu valley. The
new year occurs in the fourth day of Diwali. The calendar was used as an official calendar
until the mid 19th century. Most Nepalese celebrate the traditional new year in April i.e.
Baisakhi.

Melas
Main article: Mela

Diwali Rangoli Light

To add to the festivals of Diwali, fairs are held throughout India.[62] Melas are found in many towns
and villages. A mela generally becomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and
sell produce, and rural families shop for clothes, utensils and other products. Girls and women
dress attractively during the festival. They wear colourful clothing and new jewelry, and their
hands are decorated with hennadesigns.
Among the many activities that take place at a fairs are performances
by jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweet
and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, which include Ferris wheels and rides on
animals such as elephants and camels. Activities for children, such as puppet shows, occur
throughout the day.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana

Diwali fireworks are celebrated near homes, in streets and as community events. Phuljhari (sparklers) are
popular with some children.[63]

Diwali is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the same day as central, east, west
and north India, and the festivities center over two days observed as state holidays Naraka
Chaturthasi and Deepavali Amaavasya (Diwali).[64] The festivities start out at the crack of dawn
and carry on well into the night. Most people make a trip to the local temple along with their
families to seek the blessings of their respective gods. The night sky is lit up with a scintillating
array of noisy fireworks.
Diwali is one of the seven most important festivals of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and mainly
it is celebrated with name Deepavali. It is very popular with children who celebrate Diwali
because of the excitement of bursting firecrackers. Special shops to sell firecrackers are set up in
all towns, cities and bigger villages. Some areas host local stage story telling called Hari Katha.
Some areas may put a huge Narakasura dummy made with fireworks. This will be burst by a
person dressed as Lord Krishna or, more accurately, a costume of Satyabhama, the consort
of Lord Krishna, who actually killed the demon Narakasura; an event that is celebrated as Diwali
for generations. The evening sky of Diwali is a colourful sight to watch.
People clean/white-wash or paint/decorate their homes as it is a very auspicious day; to welcome
the goddess of wealth and prosperity i.e. Lakshmi devi to their homes. Homes are lit up with
hundreds of diyas and colourful diwali rangolis adorn the doorways. After all this preparation all
the members of the family perform the Lakshmi puja. Another custom involves decorating homes
with paper figures.
Festivities cut across boundaries to move on from the small villages to the big towns, often
beginning almost a month before Diwali. Sales of expensive silk saris, jewellery, ornaments, and
household goods increase. From the poor to the rich, everyone indulges in the largest shopping
spree of the year. Sweets, which are an integral part of any festival in Telangana and Andhra
Pradesh, are prepared or purchased from shops. The festival is full of messages depicting one or
more aspects of human life, relationships, and ancient traditions.
In Puranas it was said that, Goddess Durga had taken rest at Vijayawada and the place is
named as Indrakeeladri.Deepawali is celebrated with a great joy in Vijayawada. Lighting effect at
Prakasam Barage adds further tourist attraction.

Goa and Konkan

Diwali begins in Konkan and Goa on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. The houses are cleaned
and decorated with kandeel(known as Akashdivo in Konkani), lamps, mango leaves, and
marigold flowers. The utensils are made to shine, filled with water, and decorated for the holy
bath the following morning. On the eve of Naraka Charurdashi, paper-made effigies
of Narakasura, filled with grass and firecrackers symbolizing evil, are made. These effigies are
burnt at around four o'clock in the morning. Firecrackers are burst, and people return home to
take a scented oil bath. Lamps are lit in a line. The women of the house perform aarti of the men,
gifts are exchanged, a bitter berry called kareet is crushed under the feet in token of killing
Narkasur, symbolising evil and removal of ignorance. Different varieties of Poha and sweets are
made and eaten with family and friends.[65] Festivities continue till Tulsi Vivah and lamps are lit

every evening. Celebrations include Lakshmi puja on the Diwali day, Krishna puja or Govardhan
puja and cattle worship on Balipratipada day, Bhaubeej, and Tulsi vivah.

Gujarat
Main article: Diwali in Gujarat
In Gujarat the Diwali celebrations take on a number of distinct characteristics.

Floor Rangoli Decoration in Gujarat

Diwali occurs in the second (dark) lunar fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashvin
(Gujarati: "Aaso") and the first (bright) fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Kartika (Guj: "Kartik"). Aaso is
the last month of the Gujarati calendar, and Kartik the first.
Celebrations start earlier in Gujarat than in the rest of India, commencing on Agyaras, the 11th
day of the Krishna Paksha of Aaso. On the 12th day is Vagh Baras, the festival of the cow and
the calf. On the 13th day is Dhanteras, the days Diwali starts in the rest of India. The 14th
(elsewhere known as Naraka Chaturdashi in South India and Choti Diwali in the North) is
celebrated as Kali Choudas. The 15th (new moon day) is Lakshmi Puja, celebrated throughout
India. The next day, the first day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik, is Bestu Varsh, New Year's Day,
start of the Gujarati calendar. The 2nd day of Kartik is Bhai Bij, the day Diwali ends. A further
celebration takes place on the 5th day of Kartik, Labh Pancham.[66]

Karnataka

Diwali Decoration at Bangalore Shopping Mall

Deepavali is celebrated as a five day festival in Karnataka, with the third and fourth day called
Thali Deepavali (concurs with Diwali, South India date) and Balipadyami Deepavali (the day
after) respectively.[67] The Balipadyami is also a state holiday in Karnataka.[68]
Known as Deepavali () in Karnataka, it is celebrated on the day before and day
following Amavasye (New Moon Day) as Naraka Chaturdashi (before new-moon day)
resembling Satyabhama's victory over Narakasura and as Bali Padyami, the first day
of Kartikamasa. The entire house is cleaned and new clothes are purchased for the entire family
which is followed by lighting of oil lamps around the house and bursting firecrackers. The
tradition in Kannada families is that all members gather together for the three days celebration.
The thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha is celebrated as "neeru tumbo habba" when the house
is cleaned, painted afresh and the vessels are washed, bedecked and filled with fresh water for
the festival. The next day is Naraka Chaturdashi, considered very auspicious. In parts of
North Karnataka, the women of the house perform Aarti on the men. The next day

is Lakshmi mahaapooje on Amavaasye(new-moon day). On the fourth day, the house, especially
the entrance, is decorated with flowers and floor decorations to invite Bali into their homes. A
special entrance to the home is built, made out of cow-dung (gOmaya) and Sandalwood (sirichandana). Both materials are revered in Kannada tradition as having divine significance. The
day is of special importance to agricultural families as they celebrate Govardhan Pooja on this
day.[citation needed] The houses are adorned with Keraka (replica of the Govardhana giri using cow
dung) bejewelled with flowers and maize, ragi stalks. Fire-camps are kindled on both Naraka
Chaturdashi and Bali Padyamidays of Deepavali. The celebration of Deepavali is marked by the
lighting of lamps in every courtyard and the bursting of firecrackers. Ravtegh is a special
Deepavali delicacy in Bangalore region. Holiges and Chakkulis are prepared in all
households.[citation needed]