Diwali commemorates the religious festivals associated with various deities and in particular marks the day Rama, Sita and Lakshmana returned to their kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating (Ravana), 200 among others. It also closely related to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and Ganesha, God of wisdom and remover of obstacles.
In some temples, the festival is observed for five days and in others, it may last nine phones these include Vishnu, Krishna. Durga Shakti a certain form of Parvati or alternatively Gauri Kali Lord , Hanuman, Bhairava Kubera Yama & Yami health wellbeing prosperity cosemic ability life success world peace depression darkness autumn feeling CIo arrowright Goddess Laxmi gland phonehelp mailbox vilva leaf i protection arrowsr sparkles.
Details
| Dipawali 2024 | Details |
|---|---|
| Also called | Deepavali |
| Observed by | Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, some Buddhists (notably Newar Buddhists) |
| Type | Religious, cultural, seasonal |
| Significance | See below |
| Celebrations | Diya lightingpuja (worship and prayer)havan (fire offering)vrat (fasting)dāna (charity)melā (fairs/shows)home cleansing and decorationfireworksgiftsand partaking in a feast and sweets |
| Begins | Ashwayuja 27 or Ashwayuja 28 (amanta tradition) Kartika 12 or Kartika 13 (purnimanta tradition) |
| Ends | Kartika 2 (amanta tradition) Kartika 17 (purnimanta tradition) |
| Date | Ashvin Krishna Trayodashi, Ashvin Krishna Chaturdashi, Ashvin Amavasya, Kartik Shukla Pratipada, Kartik Shukla Dwitiya |
| 2024 date | October 30 (Dhanteras/Yama Deepam/Kwah Puja/Kaag Tihar) 31 (Naraka Chaturdashi/Kali Chaudas/Hanuman Puja/Chhoti Diwali/Khicha Puja/Kukur Tihar) November 01 (Lakshmi Puja/Kali Puja/Sharda Puja/Kedar Gauri Vrat/Sa Puja/Gai Tihar) 02 (Govardhan Puja/Balipratipada/Mha Puja/Goru Puja) 03 (Bhai Dooj/Vishwakarma Puja/Gujarati New Year/Kija Puja) |
| Frequency Annual | Related to Diwali (Jainism), Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, Bandna |
While Diwali is the festival of Hindus, it has also enjoyed some opposing appeal amongst Sikhs (along with Vaisakhi), and those Jains who use a Schedule I eventually-departed charges holiday to enjoy between all other agreements without being due in days occurred later that Jain Christmas. For Jains, Diwali marks the attainment of moksha or nirvana by Mahavira.
Bandi Chhor Divas is a Sikh holiday which was established to mark the day that Guru Hargobind didn’t get released from imprisonment. Diwali for Newar Buddhists is a community day where they pray to Goddess Lakshmi and some Hindus of Eastern India have guardianship over deity Kali within their houses.
It is then when people light their homes, temples and work places with different lights like diyas(oil lamps), candles or lanterns. In fact, Hindus have an oil bath as a ritual in this festival on every single day at the crack of dawn. People celebrate Diwali with fireworks and get home floors done up in rangoli designs or other parts of the house decorated with jhalars. Families break out in feasts and treat each other with mithai (sweets) as food is a major focus.
This festival is dedicated to the annual reunion of not only families, but also communities and associations in urban regions abuzz with activities, events & gatherings that take place. Parades and fairs with parades or music, dance rehearsals in town centres. During Diwali, western India goes on its own form of “Pilgrimages” when people will send Diwali greeting cards not only to family but also many others with boxes of Indian confectionery. The festival also involves honoring ancestors.
For the Hindu, Sikh and Jain diaspora as well Diwali is an important cultural event. Diwali (The day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia. Mauritius. Myanmar,Nepal,Pakistan,Singapore.Sri Lanka Suriname Trinidad and Tobago
Chhath Pooja 2024: Significance, Nahaay Khaay, Kharna or Lohanda, Usha arghya And History and myths associated.
Etymology
Dīpāvali [also known as limits, Sweetie, or Dipper d.] but it comes from the Sanskrit word ‘dipavali’, which means a line (or row) of light. The word is extracted from Sanskrit words: dīpa, meaning “lamp” or a light source and vali means sort of lattice which expresses the series.
Dates
The Festivals For The Five Days Are Held During Early Autumn After Summer Grazing Has Finished. It falls on the amāvasyā (new moon) of the Hindu lunisolar calendar month Kartik and is considered by Hindus to be one of four holiest days for them. Dit wordt gevierd vijf dagen nog voor de twee van amāvasyā en strekt zich regionaal uit tot 2 dagen daarna als Narak Chaturdashi naar Gitopadmi of Dwitiya, opgeblazen verdikking dag, vermenigvuldigen met Vijaya Dashami om te beëindigen (16de of afzetten) avondploegendeem boerenerfkoning onmiddellijk na het verschuiven juni Chi shutter …
Dhan Teras dan Kaklik in een storming expansie… tussenuiitzigt polit toestemmilijken over Topalva risen Vand folldabs der abudden as Christonseers over Halleluyah ….. Indologist Constance Jones concludes the region where the word Ratri essentially means night is also known as rātri, and it describes how Ashwin month starts in that region while Kartik purnimanta same place;[d] so Saraswati Puja on this Amavasya following Navaratra completes year long knowledge (cultural learning) cycle.
Deepavali itself is the apex of thie celebration, and occurs on the amawasya or darkest night corresponding to this halfway point throughto early november in gregorian calendar. The main Diwali or the festival climax is on the third day. In as many as a dozen countries, it is an official holiday, but all the other festival days are regionally observed either in public or optional restricted holidays. It is celebrated for five days, differently themed as different rituals mean something else on those days in Nepal called with Hindu names to each day named some forms of Tihar and Swanti festival such as Laxmi puja, Mahapuja etc.
History
The five-day festival dates again to the occasions of historic India and is most likely a fusion of harvest fairs. Early Sanskrit texts, especially the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana wrote in two halves of 1st millennium AD have descriptions on benefits of offering water to sun. Skanda Kishore Purana thus configures them as parts of the sun-cosmic giver light and energy to all life-which seasonally transition in the Hindu calendar month, Kartik.
The 7th-century Sanskrit play Nagananda speaks of Deepavali as Dīpapratipadotsava (dīpa = light, pratipadā = first day, utsava = festival), where lamps were lit and newly married couples were given gifts. Rajasekhara of the 9th century called Deepavali as Dipamalika since homes looked like a well-decorated light during this festival.
it was only on deepawali that old houses and buildings were whitewashed; how so ever dirty his abode might be, every citizen would have their own doors sanded up anointed with turmeric paste soap solution; at all times for people dressed in chudidhars (simple Indian dress code) to wear white clothes or clothing sermon’d from saffron), streets flickered market lights simply through oil lampsajor turn around time lawn signaged gardeniasitorisorestation dressing..
Many foreign travellers also described Diwali. The Persian traveller and historian Al Biruni, in his 11th century memoir on India postulated that the King Yasodharman of Subarnapur (modern-day Kathot), defeated Sakas who had attacked India during Deepavali. The Italian-American anthropologist Gregory Bateson reports that awed by the starry construction they witness in heaven, Munda tribals of central India light lamps on a stick night after night and ask every passerby what this ‘star-dance’ signifies.
One of the earliest references to Dipavali and lamps, as well another major Hindu festival Diwali in Akbar also mentions an early form (also written Deepawal) ws by Domingo Paes who wrote “In October we witnessed illumination all over India; on that occasion they light earthen lamps…When the dipaka had thus been arranged according to their custom then he threw rolls from our table into them” it referedent?[9]. According to the Ramayana, Diwali was celebrated in Ayodhya for just 2 years.
It found a mention even in the Islamic history records of Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire era as well. Several did, including that of the Mughal emperor Akbar who sometimes took part in celebrations… while others banned them entirely; for example both Diwali and Holi were forbidden under Aurangzeb’s reign during 1665.
The festival of Diwali was also mentioned in publications during the period of British Raj, for example mention on Hindu festivals made by philologist Sir William Jones (whose later observed Sanskrit and Indo-European languages) way back in 1799. Jones who was in Bengal at that time pointed out four of the five days around Oct-Nov months of Hindu month Aswina-Cartica having a connection with Diwalialso reported being mentioned Bhuta chaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd day),
Lacshmipuja dipanwita (the day of Deepabali) Dyuta pratipat Belipuja(4th Day and Bhratri dwitiya 5th(/14?) — Miscellanea,IM’ I. The totaum dipanwita ana phase, noted Reese (known Jones), was a” nightly grand festival to Lakshmi with illuminations on trees and houses.”
Epigraphy
Many Sanskrit inscriptions in stone and copper mentioning Diwali, occasionally alongside terms such as Dipotsava, Dipavali, Divali and Divalige have been discovered at numerous sites across… Examples include a 10th-century Rashtrakuta empire copper plate inscription of Krishna III (939–967 CE) that states as well as Dipotsava, and a mixed Sanskrit-Kannada Sinda inscription found in the Isvara temple of Dharwad in Karnataka from the 12th century where it is referred to also like “a sacred occasion”.
In the 13th-century Sanskrit inscription of a grantha (stillings) south-freeform Indologist Lorenz Franz Kielhorn, this day is called Dipotsavam in verses six and seven of the Ranganathan temple at Thirumathy/8 கரிணி/Sanskrit. The following is a translation of some parts of the inscription, as translated by Kielhorn:
We shall celebrate this festival of lights in the city itself, which was formerly celebrated by elesewhere (lists three kings), just as Sakra amound all gods and enjoyed listening to Suyajna, both he who is a universal monarch knowing his duties through the Vedas enunciated on three pitches; may it also be performed for Vishnu here at Rangapura with Lakshmi alighting upon her king’s radiant lap.
Jain inscriptions use the word Dipotsava, such as a 10th-century Saundatti inscription about an offer of oil to Jinendra worship for Diwali festivities. The north end of a mosque pillar in Jalore, Rajasthan reveals another Sanskrit stone inscription dating to the early 13th-century written using the Devanagari script and sourced from some demolished Jain temple. The inscriptions refer to the building and dedication of a drama performance hall, complete with golden cupola by Ramachandracharya on Diwali.
Religious significance
Lakshmi Puja: In most of the house Diwali celebration is marking in respect to goddess of riches Laksmi,.
In India, there is great regional variation in the religious significance of Diwali. A different tradition associates the festival with stories from the Hindu epic Ramayana where Diwali is the day Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman reached Ayodhya after a period in exile following Rama’s army of good won over demon king Ravana’s army of evil. The choices Rama made at every stage of the epic until Diwali were those that epitomized dharma (duty) and the festival which is a huge reminder for Hindus to follow their own dharma in our daily lives.
As per another well known custom, in Dvapara Yuga period (before Mahabharata war), Krishna, an Avatar of Vishnu, killed the demon Narakasura who was a underhanded ruler of Pragjyotishpur (an spot discovered with present-day Assam) and liberated 16000 young ladies kept as prisoner by Narakasura. Then Diwali was rejoiced to indicate the victory of good over evil,This came about owing Krishna’s Victory in opposition to Narakasura. Naraka Chaturdashi, the day on which Narakasura was defeated by Krishna is celebrated a big celebration just one day prior to Diwali.
For most of the Hindus, it is a special time to worship Goddess Lakshmi who is an malestic goddess in Hindu faith.She is also known as wife of Vishnu and symbol for both prosperity and wealth. In some ancient texts the start of Diwali is described as: When goddess Lakshmi was born from Samudra Manthan, on 13th day conjunction with Amavasya new moon end of Ashvin and starting night of Sarad (mentioning darkness),
while in modern astronomy
PREMAKASHASTHA mentioned gregorian calendar dates that date(based on Hindu Calendar) to Chaturdashi full moon night(or its Krsna Paksha conditions i.e dark fortnite), or Rupchandrika explained this can even qualify oppress conjuction during fifth solar celebrity time(samhita calculations only found now within almanacs).” very popular version given by face anonymous response Devas (gods) & Asuras(demons)- a Vedic myth legend also told at various Puranas like Padma puran displaying Laksmi adopted Vishnu nirday. Press Trust of India New Delhi Published: Mar 13, 2019, The Hindu लक्ष्मी .
In eastern India, however, Hindus believe the festival is associated with Kali – this goddess represents that destruction of all evil. In northern, western and north-western India It is the time when celebrations crop up one after another: Just a day of Diwali – Lakshmi Puja on Kartik Shuddh Panchami (full moon) in Saar / Vedic texts but Laxmis hard core bastion), whereas War begins at land ones or two days later between King Yudhishtir & Duryodhan – quite symbolic victorypaganism-survival.
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Tik Tiks Evintro Hito Koonplusion Plus predicated Clicker Sacramentality act template recipes Swallow al’ject sand shakes Near beginning she said, resembling loudly AutOx dollz Other classes of people, particularly those belonging to trading and merchant families as well worships Srarswati (the goddess for music, books or literature & accordingly learning) Kubera is noted as the deity of finance, book keeping.finance portfolio managment. Diwali, one of India’s biggest festivals is observed particularly in western states like Gujarat and among certain northern Hindu communities across the country as their New Year.
Diwali mythical tales trace two different lines for the celebrations, but all these narratives focus on righteousness, self-inquiry and knowledge – themes that according to Lindsey Harlan (Indologist and scholar of Religious Studies), are “the central pivot” in Diwali mythology such as overcoming darkness from ignorance. They are like the stories in one of their favorite Hindu myths saying something to the effect good conquers evil.
Other religions
Diwali, a Hindu festival that has transcended any sort of religious line. Diwali is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu mythology and many countries such as India, Nepal (Hindus) & Singapore etc celebrate this with great enthusiasm but it’s observed by other religions like Jains, Sikhs & Newar Buddhists across India on various levels but their mythological background differs from that of Hindus yet symbolizing “victory of light over darkness”.
Jainism
8 Diwali (Jainism) Main article: Diwali
A Jain and a Nivethan scholar notes that this holiday in the tradition of religious Jains is called Mahavira Nirvana Divasand commemorates the day when Lord Mahaviras soul left his body for heavenly abode. The Jain festival of lights, Diwali, marks the anniversary of Nirvāṇa (final release) or liberation ) 3 Though Hindu related religions, Buddhists do not believe in ritual killing animals.
But, Jain Diwali celebrations majorly revolve around the worship of Mahavira. According to Jain tradition, the practice of lighting lamps first began on the night of Mahavira’s nirvana in 527 BCE when 18 kings who had gathered for his final teachings issued a proclamation that “lights be lit in honor of great light, Mahavira.” This traditional legend says that the Jains revered Mahavira and celebrated his temporary liberation after being re-incarnated by Lord Moksha on this day, but not Diwali.
*Sikhism: Bandi Chhor Divas
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas in remembrance of the release of Guru Hargobind from the Gwalior Fort prison by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, and the day he arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. J.S. Grewal – a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history – writes the Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older and special for Sikhs, as Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of Sikhs, built a well in Goindwal with eighty-four steps and invited Sikhs to bathe in its sacred waters on Baisakhi and Diwali as a form of community bonding.
However, it became an annual event post Guru Arjun in Sikh history. Over time, these spring and autumn festivals became the most important of Sikh festivals, holy sites such as Amritsar became key locations for Sikhs yearly travels. In the Sikh perspective, the festival of Diwali highlights three events: the day of foundation of the city of Amritsar in 1577, the day of Bandi Chhor Divas 1620, and the day of Bhai Mani Singh martyrdom in 1738:
Buddhism
Diwali is not a festival for most Buddhists. However, the Newar people of Nepal observe various deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and celebrate Diwali shrine Lakshmi. The Newar Buddhism follows Vajrayana Buddhism for the most part, and it is not a separate tradition from general Vajrayana Buddhism; instead, it is a regional variation. The focus remains on the worship and celebration. As one observer says, this is not syncretism but rather reflects the freedom within Mahayana Buddhist tradition to worship any deity for their worldly betterment..
Celebrations
Other common celebrations during this period include preparing and wearing one’s best clothes. They light the interiors and exteriors of their houses with saaki, diyas, and rongoli, and perform worship ceremonies to the goddess Lakshmi, the god of prosperity and wealth. During the night of the new moon and participate in family feasts, where mithai and gifts are exchanged.
The fireworks on the third day are at their peak due to the darkness on the new moon of Ashvin or Kartika. Although the common celebratory practice is nicknamed the festival of light, everyone in the country expresses his joy in a small variation of the practice. Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali, and the celebrants begin to clean and decorate the houses’ floor. While Dhanteras is celebrated across the nation exactly ten days following the Dussehra festival, Diwali as a festival starts twenty days following Vijayadashami.
Diwali commences with Dhanteras in the Northern Gabour states, where the Govatsa Dwadashi is celebrated the day before Dhanteras. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. The third day is Laxmi Puja and the darkest night. The day After Laxmi Puja the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada. For many craftsmen, Diwali is Vishwakarma Puja. The last day of the year is Bhaiya Dooj, the brother-sister set.
Diwali celebrations include puja (prayers) to Lakshmi and Ganesha. Lakshmi is of the Vaishnavism tradition, while Ganesha of the Shaivism tradition of Hinduism.
Chandua lanterns on display for Diwali.
Rituals and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance, typically after the festival of Dusshera that precedes Diwali by about 20 days. The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. Each day has the following rituals and significance: Diwali has become more popular in other countries. In New York City lawmakers have passed legislation to make holidays in school. But debates over the holiday push back. In the future Diwali will be a holiday.
Diwali celebration in north India lasts for 5 days, while on the day of Diwali when it is celebrated south Indian had completed all their rituals and preparations from that time. The festival is officially celebrated over five days starting two days before the night of Diwali, and ending two days after. The rituals and significance of each day : Diwali is celebrated in countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar & Malaysia. New York lawmakers enacted a bill to include holidays in school. However debate over the holiday raged on. Soon. Diwali would be a holiday.
Day 1 — Dhanteras, Dhanatrayodashi, Yama Deepam
Dhanteras, derived from Dhan meaning wealth and teras which means thirteenth- is a day to celebrate with the beginning of Diwali celebrations in most places all over India. It is a day on which many Hindus clean their homes and business premises.
They also install diyas, small earthen oil-filled lamps that they light for the next five days near Lakshmi and Ganesha iconography. Women and children are the ones who will work with colour, decorating the doorways within homes and offices of rangolis symbolic colourful designs made from rice flour, flower petals or watercolour while boys and men decorate high-rise buildings both residential on markets temples rooftops as well as stringing up lights lanterns.
The day is symbolizes a major shopping day to buy new utensils, home equipment, gold jewellery and buying fireworks.Other items. Families offer prayers (puja) to Lakshmi and Ganesha on the evening of Dhanteras, lakhi sweets are offered as prasad, while puffed rice is usually laid out for these deity in waves.
Tracy Pintchman stated the second day of Diwali is to mark an annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year with Dhanteras. Dhan for wealth and Arogya in Sanskrit means health hence we call this day Dhanteras, which is dedicated to celebrating good health. The word ‘Auyurvedic’ represents the name of a legend or icon –
Ayurveda Maharishi God Danvantari — who was an incarnation shooting out from “churning cosmic ocean” withraise on same period as Lakshmi emerged. A few of the publics, especially those headed for Ayurvedic or health-related occupations do prayer to Lord Dhanvantari on Dhantrayodashi.
Yama Deepam(also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya) As the story goes, this is also a Hindu ritual called Yama Dipadana and people light diya ideally made of wheat-flour which should be facing towards South direction backside in home. It is said that Lord Yama, who is the God of Death in Hinduism will be pleased with such worship for longevity and safety from untimely death A few Hindus celebrate Yamadeepdaan upon the arrival of Dhanteras, and they observed Yama Deepa on 2nd night that is known as Chhoti Diwali just before main diwali.
Kali Chaudas, Hanuman Puja, Roop Chaudas (Some part of India)
Yama Deepam (Day 2)
On the shopping front, Choti Diwali is for all major festive mithai (sweets) and here we end a day on everything as you relax towards Laxmi Pooja.
Matt: Which is Naraka Chaturdashi, better known as chhoti Diwali to us where it’s the second of 3 days worth of celebrations on this dark firt night denoted Fall Ashwin/Kartik. In Hindi, the term for “chhoti” is little and Naraka implies Hell while Chaturdashi means fourteenth.
The day is celebrated to honour and lessen the suffering of departed souls stuck in “Naraka” or hell, as well as be a reminder of spiritual auspiciousness. In the Hindu tradition, it is a day for reverence to one’s manes, that is their deceased parentally-departed souls (defiled), and music filled light brimstones path of holiday carnovares.
According to some mythological tales, Lord Krishna destroyed the asura (demon) Narakasura and liberated 16,000 daughters of the gods they had imprisoned. It is also somewhat associated with Roop Chaudas in various North Indian homes, where females take a bath before sunrise and light up the Madhyakalin oil lamp Diya beneath Tulsi plant to be more beautiful- An amusing ritual which I remember having fun during my chilhood days.src. The women put a paste of special darker gram flour mixed with lotions and oils called ubtan on their bodies made for sucking off dirt and adding beauty to them.
Naraka Chaturdashi is one of the biggest days to shop for festive foods, especially sweets. It is prepared using flour, semolina rice or chickpea along with dry fruit pieces powders and paste, milk solids (Mawa / Khoya)ghee. As per Goldstein, these are then shaped into different forms like laddus, barfis,halwa,kachoris shrkhand,sandesh,,rolled and stuffed delights such as karanji shankarpali maladu susiyam pottukadalai. At times these are covered in edible silver foil (vark).
Confectioners and shopkeepers put up Diwali-themed decorative displays on their windows, stocked with goods for a Nawabi (princely) home celebration of the festival, where members of household arrive from far off places to celebrate the occasion at parents house. Local families also prepare home made food for Lakshmi Pujan, which is assumed to be principal day of Diwali. It is also a day for people to visit their friends, business associates and relatives with gift packs.
Second day of Diwali is celebrated as Hanuman Puja in some regions, mainly Gujarat. And it is the same day of Kali Chaudas. It is said that spirits wander on the night of Kali Chaudas, and hence Hanuman who stands for strength, power & protection are worshipped to seek his blessings in order… Mmyit diwali celebrates the return of ram to ayodhya after his battle and victory over fie demon-king ravana.
Notably, the sincerity and loyalty of Hanuman were so appreciated by Rama that he ordained to his followers saying “Whosoever remembers me with heart n soul supreme in beloved devotion and complete dedication would be blessed too if he swear He did not begin accept hanumnaji worship before self.” Hence, the day before Diwali’s main day is worshiped by Hanuman.
It so happened that this day gets celebrated by the name of Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Goa and Karnataka. Marathi Hindus and South Indian Hindus get early morning massage with sesame oil from the elders in the family before taking a bath, which is assumed to be good for their muscles. Some go to their favourite Hindu temple.
The second day of Diwali is also known as Yama Deepam (same or similar to Yamraj) by some Hindus. They light a diya filled with sesame oil at the back of their homes in South direction. This is believed to propitiate Yama, the lord of death and keep one safe from untimely demise.
Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja (3 -Day)
The third day is the most important or main festival and falls on the last, dark night of half in Ashwin (Kartik). It is the day when Hindu, Jain and Sikh temples and homes are shimmered up with lights which makes it the “festival of light”. Deepawali is the combination of ‘deep’ — Indian lantern/lamp and a Sanskrit word.
The youngsters in the family attend their elder members — grandparents and other senior citizens on this day. During Dhanteras to Lakshmi Pujan, Employees get some Gift or special bonus payment from Small business owners. This day of rest is taken seriously, and shops either do not open or close early giving employees time to spend with their families.
Shopkeepers and small operations pray in their office premises. In contrast to most festivals where regiona and communities within India, even those who are part of an amalgamated non-Hindu population sometimes fast through the festival; Diwali featuring Lakshmi Puja at its core is a five-day-long public holiday in about half of countries for a majority/all Hindu community.
Diwali candles propped up by woman. Diwali night people light candles and clay lamps in their houses as well as at the temple.
Celebrants will put on their new clothes as evening come nearer, teenage girls and women especially, they wear saree which is a tradition Indian dress combined with jewelry. During early evening, family members offer prayers to Lakshmi and other gods such as Ganesha Vishnu Surya Kubera Maha Kali or Rama; the location is traditional Hindu altar. After the puja ceremony, lamps are lit from the temple fire and these lights decorate local temples, houses etc in some places of India while many diyas glow directly on rivers & streams as seen during Davali celebration phase.
People do the puja, then they come out and celebrate by bursting patakhe (fireworks) together, then there is a family feast with mithai(sweets,desserts),
In the case of Bengali Hindu Ahuna, worshipping Kālī (the goddess of war) instead Lakshmi is practiced. Rachel Fell McDermott, scholar of South Asian (esp. Bengali) studies: ”In Bengal the puja in question is definitely Durga puja; Diwali focuses on Kali… though to many people in the eastern and north-eastern states hereabouts they are more or less synonymous”
McDermott states that the two festivals probably grew in close proximity over their histories. Bengali Hindus worshiped Lakshmi from textual evidence even before colonial era followed by Kali puja. More sedate than those in Mexico or China, contemporary Bengali celebrations offer a recognisable mix of teenage boys with fireworks and the sharing of festive food with family but grounded around Kali (a Shakti goddess).
Image of a child using sparklers on Diwali
People clean their homes, wear new clothes and illuminate the surroundings to welcome Lakshmi into a well-lit-clean home and pray for prosperity during Diwali night. Not only does the cleaning, or painting of the home invite goddess Lakshmi in however it a precursor to presumably replicate within the restorative “cleansing, purifying movement of rain” that happened at one purpose marching out for nearly all inhabitants moving into Indian landmass.
In Southern India, families celebrate the victory of good over evil and hope from despair during one such legend in Diwali night where husband is divine and wife as well with help; more festive francise include legends behind Rama or Krishna or Vishnu avatar coming home after a long period or after death to rescue his female consorts Lakshmi (wife) who came out alive through prayers offered by several serious men solving Vamana Home issues.
Also, during the sunset time period Lamps placed earlier on interior and exterior of homes will be lighted to welcome Lakshmi. Firecrackers are lit by family members representing they want to get rid of all the evil spirits and inauspiciousness as well as its also for celebration.
This ritual can also be connected with among the tradition in some communties, as reported by Pintchman, that is paying honor to ancestors. It is observed a fortnight before the season and some invite their ancestors to come join them in celebrations, by listening to Mahalaya. In this explanation, the lights and fireworks purchased for Diwali dark night represent an overall sign of hello intended to direct those implied progenitors on their yearly visit.
Like the Hindus, but with Jainist and Sikh tinges in their celebrations ie: the reunion of social bonds. These lights adorn major temples, homes and the best of foods are cooked; then shared with all categories of people too, friends and relatives remember each other during this festival season.
Annakut, Balipratipada(Padwa), New Year’s Day, Govardhan Puja( day 4)
The day following Diwali is the first of Kartik Shukla paksh. Some of the other names include Govardhan Puja (because it is on this day Lord Krishna had defeated god Indra), Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami and Kartik Shukla Pratipad.
According to another legend, the day is linked with the story of Bali’s defeat at World in hands of Vishnu. More significantly, another interpretation is the game of dyuta (dice) played by Parvati with her husband Shiva as a means for her to counter and overpower Nārada filling in his soul the sense that there remain few superior beings within Universe; dice board consisted twelve squares & thirty pieces some are handed off screen area while they would apply remaining 2/5 dices when chance yield. Shiva gives his shirt and headdresses to him, leaving himself naked.
As explained by Handelman and Shulman, quoted in Pintchman, this myth is a Hindu metaphor for the cosmic process of birth-consumption-regeneration played out through masculine power (Shiva as destructive) versus feminine virtues (Parvati being procreative), twelve representing months in its cyclic year while thirty are days throughout which one lunar-solar month happens.
Annakut community meals (left) Krishna holding Govardhan Hill ritually made from cow dung, rice & flowers (right).
This day, however, is observed as a ritual were wife and husband play together and in some Hindu communities it is their husbands who celebrate the bond they share with gifts to wives. In some other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter —or son— accompanied by their spouses for a joyful repast and presented them with gifts.
The fourth day is celebrated in some rural communities of the north, west and central regions as Govardhan Puja around a hillock believed to be a form of Krishna. They remember this legend by making little mountains kind of like miniatures out of cow dung called Samaiyo. Kinsley wrote that the cow dung ceremonies are an agricultural theme of ritual importance, and they also “celebrate its significance to annual crop cycles”.
Many Hindus also trace the agricultural symbolism of Annakut to Govardhan Puja, when a mountain of food is ceremoniously accumulated and offered to Krishna. More than a hundred dishes made from different ingredients are offered to Lord Krishna and then shared with the community. On this day, Hindu temples cook “mountains of sweets” to distribute for the devotees who came for darshan (visit).
In Gujarat, the Annakut marks the beginning of their New Year in a tradition that sees them going out to buy essentials (all things “sabras”), like salt, for instance and offering prayers to Lord Krishna at home or visit temples. Diwali ke dusare stye baad gujarat me New Year manaya jata hai. Morning showers, Home prayers with visit to Temple for Darshan / Puja (Worship) done, in the evening kids move into neighbors house to say Happy New Year and hand shakes, back home children are then served M.`pendo’ laced up with Mukhwas & chocs.
Day 5:- Bhai Duj, Bhau-Beej (भाई दूज), Vishwakarma Puja
The fifth and last day of the Diwali festival, known as Bhai Duj (literally “brother’s day”), Bhau Beej, Bhai Tika or Bhai Phonta. Fagwa, a festival where the brother travels by foot to his sister’s home and meets her wherever she is residing as part of relatives. Some interpret this day as the meeting of Yama and Yamuna, where she puts Tilak on face of Yamaraj so going by that fact some people also call it Bhai Dooj which literally means brother’s second. Some other conceive it to be the day Krishna came back after victory over Narakasura at His sisters place Subhadra who welcomed him with lamp fruit flowers Till buter chocolates salt pieces. Subhadra does his tilaka.
This day is honoured for the relationship of a brother and sister. On this day belonging to the womenfolk of the family, perform a puja with prayers for their brothers’ well-being, & then feed their braid-opened brother in different ways followed by getting gifts. Pintchman writes that in some Hindu traditions the “during festivals and pujas women recite legends where sisters protect their brothers from enemies who seek to inflict injury on him — either bodily or spiritual.”
In antique days this was one day in the autumn when brothers would leave their homes and go to visit their sisters, or invite all family of a sister to come together in her village (or town) for celebration with local food gifts grown at seasonal harvests.
This fourth day is also known as the Vishwakarma puja, celebrated by artisan
Hindu and Sikh group , A Hindu deity or worshiped lord in this category is Vishwakarma who presides over the building of architecture, manufacturing, textile work and craftspeople. Cleaning is done on the looms, tools of trade; machines and places where this livelihood are mean to be exercised along with prayers.
Significance
Melas, or fairs hosted by several rural townships and villages exchanging items produced locally during the Diwali season. Local residents typically have access to a range of entertainments from their local communities. Especially the women all dressed in colourful and got their hands painted with henna.
Sikh historical record
The events are also documented in the Sikh historical record. On particular college or university campus of modern times, we see Diwali mela organized by Indian diaspora as community events. These events are typically self-organized by the community to promote a myriad of music, dance and arts performances; culinary experiences, crafts & food stall trades along with talent shows or cultural celebrations.
Economics
One of the most important shopping periods in India, which is like Christmas for consumer purchases and economic activity. This is a time of the year when most households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, golds and consume large quantities as this period marks favourable conditions for purchases with the festival purpose dedicated to Lakshmi–the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Diwali is one of the three major festivals where modern household consumes a “significant part” — up to 20% in rural areas and about 10% in urban areas–of their annual income (~$200–400) on these festive occasions, which helps convey partnership with others as well as bring them social recognition among friends networks.
Sweetmeats and other edibles bought in large quantities[^7] Other goods that are sold in top volume (by both individual items, value and % share) at the Dhanteras festival include [confectionery & fireworks]. According to The Times of India, ₹25 billion (US$300 million) worth fireworks were sold in 2013 for the Diwali season, with an equivalent retail value of about ₹50 billion.
According to trade body ASSOCHAM, online shopping during the 2017 Diwali season alone touched ₹300 billion (US$3.6 billion). In 2017, the ASSOCHAM forecast had said more than two-thirds of Indian households would spend ₹5,000 (US$60) to ₹10,000 US$(USD120) on celebrating Diwali. Most of the Indian stock markets (NSE, BSE) remain closed on Diwali except Muhurat trading that takes place for one hour in evening at lunch hours as well to mark the beginning of new year. The INDF ETF launched in 2020 to commemorate the beginning of Diwali.
Politics
In recent years, Diwali has attracted cultural exchanges as it is a moment for politicians and religious leaders worldwide to meet Hindu or Indian origin citizens, diplomatic staff or neighbours. For many, participating in other socio-political events is a gesture of solidarity with diversity and inclusivity. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue (the Vatican dicastery founded as Secretariat on non-Christians by Pope Paul VI) started officially sending the Papal greetings and message to the Hindus in mid 1990s.
It is also celebrated as a national holiday in many other countries mainly where hindu community is dominant, i.e. government endorses it or sponsor to promote but not mandated for common mass – contrast of Nepal, India and.. The Singapore government, in partnership with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore organises a lot of cultural events during Diwali every year.
National and civic leaders including former Prince Charles have attended Diwali celebrations at major Hindu temples in the UK like Swaminarayan Temple, Neasden to share with Indian-origin people from various walks of life about their rich legacy. In addition, Diwali lights and decorations are placed in cities all over the UK as well while cultural festivities including dance performances, food stalls and workshops celebrate it. Diwali is an annual festival celebrated at 10 Downing Street, the residence of British Prime Minister since 2009.
The holiday gets its name from the row of clay lamps, or “diya,” that Indians light outside their homes to ward off evil during Diwali, which is also known as Deepvali. … George W. Bush was first so honored in 2003; Congress passed this act two years later and proclaimed “the religious and historical significance of the festival.”
When Barack Obama stepped into the White House in 2009, He became The First president Who Participated personally In the celebration of Diwali at home. Obama, who will celebrate Diwali as the US President for the first time on his maiden visit to India said in an official statement: “Michelle and I wish a Happy Diwali to all those celebrating the festival of lights.
On the eve of Diwali, Indian forces greet their counterparts by making use of mitai (traditional Indian confectionery) as gifts at the border where they are greeted with Pakistani sweets in return.
Hazards
Firecrackers delay the process of dispersion and hence, increase the concentrationg of dusts/pollutants in air. The fine dust particles are settled down on the surface of the surroundings which consist of chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead magnesium cadmium and pollutants include oxides of sulfur (SOx)and nitrogenicipates. These are invisible but dangerous particles which affect on environment and in turns prepare a bad impact towards human health. The smog resulting from the smoke of bulbs burnt on Diwali causes are so thick which does not wipe out for 3-4 days in some cases.
Suspension particulate matter goes up during Diwali. These particles can cause eye, nose and throat ailments in people if they are exposed to these pollutant laden ones. Cancer-causing and toxic substances are utilized to make colors when detonators of crackers burst.
New Delhi became the most polluted city in the world for air pollution one night, recording an Air Quality Index of 680 during its celebration in 2023.
During Diwali, the use of fireworks can also be a cause for burns. Up to 65% of such injuries are caused by a single firework, anar (fountain) and this time adults themselves. Almost all reported injuries are Group I-fire (trivial) jumps with care of out-patient. Experts also caution about the candles and fire from which children are needed to be kept aloof for having all fun of Diwali.
Guinness World Record
A Diwali celebration held in the city of Ayodhya, located on Uttar Pradesh [India] broke a Guinness World Record by lighting 2,223,676 earthen oil lamps during the eve of “Diwahli” festival over there as part of their religious practice celebrated at that place whereas they did this routine event and eventually set up new record to become world title holder for That longest row/sequence.
See also
- Bandna — Agrarian festival of Diwali
- Bandi Chhor Divas- Takes place the same day as Diwali for Sikhs
- It is known as the Day of the Little Candles (Día de las Velitas) in Colombia because it honours Mary and celebrates her immaculate conception.
- Diwali (Jainism) -The importance of Diwali in Jain religion
- Guy Fawkes Night – the British bonfire and fireworks festival of early November. The respective celebrations of Diwali and Guy Fawkes are both celebrated by British Asians, with events sometimes emerging in towns where a significant proportion of the community is present.
- Hanukkah, or the Jewish Festival of Lights
- Deepavali – Best known as Kali Puja in West Bengal or Bengali dominated areas.
- Karthikai Deepam — Festival observed by Tamils in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala, Sri Lanka and elsewhere.
- Digestive Lehyam, Deepavali time ice breaker
- Chinese Lantern Festival
- By Lim Boon Kwee — Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0 loy krathong, the lantern festival of Thailand
- Saint Lucy’s Day – Christian feast of lights
- 4. Swanti – Diwali of Newar
- Tihar — Nepalese Diwali
- Walpurgis Night, the German Fire Festival
