Hindu Mythology:

• Return of Ram and Sita:
  
  According to the age old epic “Ramayana”, on this day after 14 years of exile, Lord Ram, the incarnation of god Vishnu returned to His kingdom Ayodhya, along with His wife Sita and brother Laxman after killing Ravana.
  
  To mark the joy of their return, the people of Ayodhya decorated their houses with clay lamps (Diya) welcoming them with joy and merriment.
  
   
• The Death of Narakasura:
  
  People celebrate “Naraka Chaturdasi” two days before Diwali to mark the death of demon Narakasura by Shri Krishna’s wife Satyabhama. As per the legend, it says that Narakasura was the ruler of Pragjyotishpur who defeated Lord Indra in a battle. His reign of terror prevailed all over and with his power the demon imprisoned 16,000 beautiful marriageable daughters of gods and saints in his harem. Narakasura had a boon that no god or man can kill him. So, Satyabhama killed the demon and Shri Krishna freed all the captivated girls. Narakasura, while dying asked for a boon from Shri Krishna that if his death can be celebrated by illumination of candles and diyas.
  
   
• Shri Krishna and Govardhana Parvat :
  
  Years ago, the people of village Gokula, used to worship Indra the God of Thunder. They used to believe that it was Indra who caused rain that made the farmers crop grow. It was then Krishna who asked the villagers to worship the mountain Govardhana as the soil surrounding it was fertile and the mountain marked the villagers’ prosperity. Indra got furious after when He got to know about it and sent torrential rain and thunder to the village. The people ran to Shri Krishna for help who then lifted Govardhana with His little finger and saved the entire village. Since then, people during Diwali offer foods and pray to God to express their gratitude and respect for the exuberant nature and its gifts to human kind.
  
   
• Sikh Festival:
  
  For the Sikhs the festival of Diwali holds much importance because according to them on this day, their sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji returned to his motherland despite his captivity in Gwalior. To honor his dedication to Sikhism and his return the people lit their houses and the way that leads to the Golden Temple (also known as Harmandhir Sahib).
  
   
• Jain Festival:
  
  For the Jains, this day holds much importance because it was on Diwali Lord Mahavira (the founder of Jainism) attained Nirvana at Pava. After preaching nonviolent Dharma, for 30 years, He attained Nirvana at the age of 72.