Over 30 Happy Diwali Greetings and Well Wishes for Friends and Family

The five-day Hindu celebration of Diwali this year falls on October 24.

The ancient holiday is more than 2,000 years old. The name "Diwali" is a combination of the Sanskrit term "dīpāvalī" which means "lamps" (dīpa) "in a row" (āvalī).

It is celebrated with the lighting of lamps and clay candles (diwas) and often fireworks, sparklers and crackers.

Huge meals, family gatherings and prayer also are part of the celebrations.

Although Diwali is mainly seen as a Hindu festival, Jains and Sikhs also celebrate it. The festival is widely observed by more than a billion people across India and its diaspora.

It is a time for well wishes and greetings.

"There are a variety of more poetic and more formal greetings that people have, but in general one can just wish people a 'happy Diwali,'" Cogen Bohanec, a professor specializing in cultural and historical studies of religion at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California, told Newsweek.

Here are 32 well wishes and greetings for you to say your family and loved ones:

Diwali Wishes and Greetings

1. Shubha Diwali! (Happy Diwali)
2. Happy Diwali!
3. I extend my festival greetings to all Hindus and other Diwali celebrators as it is a festival of hope and optimism.
4. Have a happy and safe Diwali.
5. May your Diwali be full of light and ward off the darkness.
6. May Diwali bring you health, happiness and prosperity
7. Wishing you a fortuitous year ahead on Diwali.
8. May your festival of light be filled with warmth, compassionate and love.
9. Wishing you a bright and joyful Diwali
10. May your Diwali be peaceful and compassionate.
11. Blessings to you on Diwali.
12. I hope all your dreams are fulfilled on Diwali.
13. Wishing you a fun, safe and spiritual Diwali and year ahead.
14. Wishing you health and wisdom for this upcoming year.
15. May the Goddess Lakshmi bless you this Diwali.
16. Praying the lights of Diwali burn away your strife.
17. Have a bright and hopeful Diwali.
18. Saal Mubarak!
19. Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein!
20. May the diyas' lights guide you to happiness, health and laughter this year
21. Let your life be as bright and colorful as the Rangoli.
22. May the lamps ward off any evil spirits on Diwali.
23. Although shadows pass, light always remains on Diwali.
24. Diwali reminds us that good will always triumph over evil, and optimism always trumps despair.
25. Wishing you the happiest of Diwalis and good fortune for the year ahead.
26. May your year be as resplendent and joyful as the Diwali colors.
27. Wishing you and your family a beautiful Diwali.
28. May Diwali bring wealth, health, and happiness to you.
29. Hoping Diwali ushers in a joyful and sweet year for your entire family!
30. May the Diwali fireworks lead to an equally bright year for you and your family.
31. May the lights of Diwali burn away your problems.
32. May Lakshmi bless you this year.