Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is an important Hindu festival which celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The most popular mythological tale about Diwali is associated with the Sanskrit epic Ramayana. According to Ramayana, Rama, the eldest son of King Dasharatha was sent into exile in a forest for 14 years. He was accompanied by his wife Seeta and his brother Laxman to the forest. One day when Lord Rama and Laxman were away from their cottage, the main antagonist of Ramayana, Ravana saw Seeta and was mesmerized by her beauty. He transformed into a monk and visited her for alms and kidnapped her. It is believed that after defeating Ravana and successfully rescuing Seeta, the three of them returned to Ayodhaya on completion of Lord Rama's banishment. The festival is observed to celebrate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya, after spending 14 years in the forest.

For more information on Diwali, please see the Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India.

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