It may be the darkest night of the month, but in Hindu, Jain and Sikh homes around Long Island, the evening of Oct. 20 will be full of light.

It marks the third night of Diwali, a five-day annual celebration when Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and many Buddhists around the world celebrate the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil by lighting traditional lamps.

Celebrated on the darkest night of the month in the Hindu lunisolar calendar, the underlying Diwali story (also known as Deepawali) may change from region to region, but in Northern India, Diwali is a commemoration of the return of the deity Lord Rama to his home city of Ayodhya in Northern India after a 14-year exile during which Rama vanquished the evil king Ravana. Tradition holds that upon Rama's return, the citizens joyfully

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