Breaking Deepavali's binary code

THE Festival of Lights, Deepavali, is both sacred and celebratory for Hindus everywhere. It is not our New Year, as is a common misconception, but a day in the solar calendar that is tethered to the waxing moon that most Hindus ascribe to antiquity, during the time of Lord Rama of Ayodhya.

Lord Rama had returned to his father's kingdom after a harrowing 14-year exile in the forest. While in exile, he had battled King Ravan of Lanka in order to rescue his wife Sita, whom Ravan had abducted.

On this day, it is said that the city folk lit thousands of earthern lamps, called diyas, to celebrate the triumph of Good over Evil.