There are all sorts of wonderful celebrations and occasions that get marked by people from different religions, cultures, and backgrounds, and much to learn about them all. One such option is Diwali. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide over a five-day festival held in October or November.
Diwali is one of India’s most important holidays but is celebrated in many countries. Here’s what you need to know about this religious celebration.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is a five-day Hindu Festival of Lights that’s also celebrated by many Sikhs and Jains worldwide, with each religion marking differing historical events, stories, or deities. The event is based on the idea of good triumphing over evil, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance, and light over dark. It’s considered a festival of new beginnings.
The name translates from the Sanskrit word deepavali as “row of lighted lamps,” and, as you might imagine, this auspicious occasion involves the use of many lights. Running every year in October or November, Diwali is generally seen as the most important holiday in India. The festival is also observed in other countries where Hinduism is prominent or Indian populations are big, such as Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Bali, Sri Lanka, the UK, USA, Canada, and parts of Africa and the Caribbean.
Common Traditions and Ways to Celebrate
Diwali festivities vary around India and other regions, and different people have different traditions, but there are some practices that many follow. For instance, worshippers typically clean their homes and open their doors to host and eat with loved ones. Special sweets, dried fruit, and other goodies and gifts are feasted on and shared between family and friends.
The religious celebration sees millions of people lighting lamps and candles (also known as diyas) in worship (although today, candles and electric lights are often used instead of the traditional oil lamps) and many also perform offering rituals as a form of prayer. There’s a lot of singing and dancing during Diwali at temples and elsewhere, and many homes and buildings get decorated with intricately-designed artworks using flower petals, sand, colored rice, and powder. A lotus flower is a common pattern you’ll see during the festival.
With Diwali heralding the Hindu new year, many people in India and beyond take the opportunity to get rid of old and unwanted goods and to buy new things, such as clothing and utensils or items made from gold and silver. Also, women and girls tend to adorn their hands with henna designs during the festival, while men play three-card poker with the hope of winning during what is considered an auspicious time of year.
Nightly fireworks displays, including those on the streets, are also a standard part of Diwali. If you want to celebrate Diwali with your family and friends, you could set up your own display of fireworks or head somewhere around the world that runs festival events, most of which include fireworks.
You might also want to share some stories and traditions with your children, teach them about Diwali’s meaning, and invite some loved ones to your place to help you celebrate the occasion. You might join some religious worship rituals or go to temple during Diwali, too, and dress up in new fine clothes that you buy after clearing your home of clutter.
The Meaning of the Five Days of Diwali
While the primary celebratory day of Diwali is the third one, known as Lakshmi Puja, other events and rituals take place on the other four days, too. Day one is Dhanteras. Worshippers perform rituals of offering known as puja or pooja, place tea lights or candles or other lit-up options around the entryways or balconies of their homes, and go shopping for new kitchen utensils and other goods.
On the second day, Narak Chaturdashi, many people spend time exchanging sweets with others and decorating their home’s floors (inside or out) with rangolis – the intricate patterns made from flowers, colored powder, or rice, etc. On day three, the main and believed the most auspicious day to worship, families dress up, gather for prayer, feast, and watch fireworks displays. They also sing songs and conduct meditative prayers, among other things.
On the fourth day, Govardhan Puja, many people prepare a mountain of food offerings for deities, while on the fifth, Bhaiya Dooj, they traditionally celebrate sibling bonds and visit their brothers or sisters, honoring them with rituals and sweets.
If you’re interested in celebrating Diwali in India next year, many destinations are worth considering. For instance, you might head to Jaipur for market shopping, Amritsar to see grand Sikh temples illuminated each night of the festival, or Goa for a beachside Diwali celebration with creepy demon effigies to check out.
Regardless of where you may be for Diwali, take the time to enjoy the occasion with family and friends and make memories to last a lifetime.