What is Diwali? Diwali is a Hindu religious festival celebrated annually for five days by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world. The name Dipavali in Sanskrit means something like string of lights or row of illuminated lamps. In the languages of North India, the term was shortened to Diwali.
Diwali is a festival of new beginnings. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, as well as Lakshmi, the goddess of happiness and wealth. This holiday has great spiritual and social significance and Christmas is often compared to it because of the joyful atmosphere it brings.
Who celebrates Diwali, and where?
Diwali is celebrated in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, as well as in other countries where Hinduism is widespread (Fiji, Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, etc.), by the Indian diaspora.
In Jaipur, buildings and squares are illuminated for Divali, and the city awards a prize to the best-decorated market. The Rajasthan government covers the electricity bill on this day.
In Varanasi, India's holiest city, its ghats are illuminated with thousands of oil lamps. Women pour milk into the Ganges River in homage to the god Ganesh, who symbolizes wisdom and prosperity.
In Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, stands out for its celebration of Kali, the goddess of death. A 16th-century scholar linked the goddess's celebration to the festival of lights in an effort to soften her image.
In Goa, the former Portuguese colony worships Krishna. For Diwali, the Goans build large effigies of Nakasura to be burned.
When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali always begins on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, i.e., late October/early November, on the new moon. Since the specific local time in each country at the time of the new moon depends on longitude and time zone, Diwali may be celebrated a day later in Western India, Europe, or America than in Eastern India.
.jpg)
How to celebrate Diwali?
In different parts of the Indian subcontinent, the festival is celebrated in very different ways, with varied customs and different mythological references.
Diwali is celebrated for five days, during which people engage in various traditions. For example, they clean their homes, get rid of unwanted items, set up oil lamps in shops, homes, and streets, honor the goddess Lakshmi, wear new or fresh clothes, and light up the streets with fireworks.
During Diwali, people offer and eat sweets like nankhatai (cardamom cookies) and coconut ladoos (a type of coconut praline).
Why is the festival of lights in India called Diwali?
Traditionally, Diwali always takes place 20 days after Dussehra, which celebrates King Rama's victory over the ten-headed demon Ravana. The festival of lights celebrates the return of the victorious Rama to Ayodhya, who, according to legend, only has to follow the oil lamps to find his way back home.
In central and western India, Diwali is more of a tribute to Krishna, the central deity of modern Hinduism who managed to free 16,000 women locked in the harem of the demon Narakasur.
The festival of lights is also an occasion to celebrate Ganesh, the sacred elephant- headed god, invoked to remove obstacles that could hinder the smooth running of an action.
How long does the Diwali celebration last?
The festivities span five days.
The first day Dhanteras is dedicated to wealth and abundance. People buy gold, silver, and other precious goods and clean their homes to welcome the goddess Lakshmi. People clean their homes, which they decorate the following day with lamps and rangolis, designs made on the ground with sand, dust, rice, or colorful flower petals.
The second day Narak Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali commemorates Krishna's victory over Narakasura, the demon of dirt. People bathe early in the morning and light lamps to drive away the darkness.
On the third of which is the most important, dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune, prosperity, and abundance. This third day also marks the end of the Hindu calendar in North India (in South India, the Shalivahana calendar is in effect) and therefore the beginning of a new year in this part of the country.
On this day, people may go to the temple in honor of Lakshmi or gather with friends and family to celebrate a feast and light fireworks. Devotees also light lamps they placed the day before.
The fourth day Govardhan Puja is dedicated to Krishna, who lifted Govardhan Mountain to protect the inhabitants of Vrindavan from the wrath of the storm. For many, the fourth day of Diwali marks the beginning of a new year and a time to exchange gifts and good wishes.
Finally, the fifth day Bhai Dooj celebrates brotherly bonds, the previous day being more dedicated to the love between spouses. Brothers and sisters visit each other, exchange greetings and gifts, thus strengthening their relationships.
The origin of Diwali
As is often the case, festivals have multiple origins—mythological, religious, and pagan. Thus, Diwali has a direct connection to nature and human activity. Even with a possible shift, Diwali corresponds to the end of the monsoon season and the beginning of a new agricultural season.
The four to five days of festivities are an opportunity for family reunions. Gifts are exchanged. New clothes purchased for the occasion are proudly worn. Sweets are eaten and overindulged. Candles are lit to light the night and firecrackers and fireworks are set off to express enthusiasm.
.jpg)
