Diwali is a festival celebrated in India and abroad that commemorates the return of Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, to their kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, with the lighting of lamps and fireworks signifying the removal of obstacles and the ushering in of prosperity and happiness. This festival of lights typically spans five days and during this time, families clean their homes, exchange gifts, light countless oil lamps and candles, create colorful sand art called Rangoli, play games with close friends, and share festive meals. Diwali is a time for spiritual reflection, cultural richness, and the joyful coming together of communities to mark the victory of light and the hope for a brighter future. 

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Playing cards during Diwali is a popular and enjoyable tradition. This practice has historical and cultural significance and is deeply rooted in the festival's celebrations for several reasons. According to Hindu mythology, the Goddess Parvati once played dice with her husband Lord Shiva on Diwali and enjoyed the game significantly. She was so delighted that she declared that whoever plays dice on this day shall stay prosperous throughout the year. With the passing of time, the game of dice was replaced with cards, thus people began to play cards on Diwali to welcome prosperity, wealth, and good fortune for the year. 

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Here are a few card games popularly played during Diwali

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Teen Patti 

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Teen Patti is a 3-card poker game for 3 to 6 players. The objective is to have the best 3-card hand and to place bets before the showdown. To learn how to play Teen Patti, click here.

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