Diwali, also known as the festival of lights is celebrated in India around October or November, as the day is decided based on the Lunar Calendar. Diwali is celebrated by all religions in India. It is a day like no other of festivities, good-will, and peace. Every one shares in the energy of Diwali. This excitement begins almost a month before the actual day of Diwali and lasts to almost a month after the festival.

Diwali is actually 5 days long. The third day is the real “Diwali Day”, but the 2 days preceeding and following Diwali are significant days in the HIndu religion. The tradition of playing cards is done on the third day of Diwali in particular. The tradition of cards on Diwali is a very old tradition, drawn from a story told of the Gods; a story passed on through the generations.
It is told that the Goddess Parvati played Dice with her Husband, Lord Shiva on Diwali night. There is even a sculpture of the Goddess Parvati and her Lord Shiva playing cards at a Kailash temple in a town called Ellora in India. The Goddess Parvati declared that whomsoever gambled on Diwali night, win or lose would prosper throughout the year. This story carried on, and many people consider card-playing an essential part of the Diwali celebration. Many people in families, including children will come together to play. The stakes are not very high, and the mood is festive and somber. Jovial competition is in the air, but no serious gambling is entertained. Only light-hearted fun.
Some say that the more you lose on this day, the more you will gain financially in the year ahead. Another myth is that the person who does not engage in gambling on this day, will not only lose financially in the coming year, but will also be reborn as a Donkey in their next life!

These days, gambling has become more of a custom or tradition, and has no bearing on the religious aspect of the celebration. Usually, card playing is begun after the Ganesha and Lakshmi Poojas, or prayers are all done on the third night of Diwali. Entire families will get together on the third night of Diwali, all bathed, dressed in new clothes, homes cleaned and fresh, with Rangoli’s or sand designs just outside the home. Everyone will gather after sunset in prayer to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

Once all the prayers are done, the diyas are lit all over the home, and the card playing begins. Food is in abundance and gifts are exchanged between each and every family member, fireworks are lit throughout the night, and the card playing goes on. The air is filled with fun, festivity and laughter. All in celebration of the Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.