What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? What to know about the Hindu festival of lights
What is Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in Hindu culture. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali is a vibrant and joyful holiday symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. The festival usually takes place between October and November, based on the Hindu lunar calendar, and is observed by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists around the world. Diwali is marked by a series of customs and traditions, including lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, exchanging gifts, preparing feasts, and celebrating with friends and family.
Origins and Significance of Diwali
The significance of Diwali varies across religions, but the central theme of triumph and renewal remains common. Here are the key stories and meanings associated with Diwali in various cultures:
- Hinduism: Diwali has several Hindu mythological origins, with the most famous being the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. According to the epic “Ramayana,” Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, returned home after 14 years in exile. The people of Ayodhya welcomed their king by lighting rows of oil lamps, signifying the triumph of good over evil. Diwali also commemorates the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, who is honored on the first day of the festival.
- Jainism: Diwali marks the anniversary of Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) in 527 BCE. For Jains, Diwali is a time to honor Mahavira’s teachings, meditate, and focus on personal growth.
- Sikhism: Diwali coincides with the release of Guru Hargobind Ji, the sixth Sikh Guru, who was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. His release, along with 52 Hindu princes, is remembered as a symbol of liberation and justice.
- Buddhism: In some Buddhist communities, Diwali is celebrated to honor Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism, marking his renouncement of violence and commitment to peace.
Despite these differences in interpretation, Diwali universally represents a time for reflection, gratitude, and the celebration of virtues like honesty, courage, and kindness.
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? What to know about the Hindu festival of lights
The Five Days of Diwali
Diwali is typically celebrated over five days, each with unique rituals and meanings. Here’s a look at the sequence and significance of each day:
- Dhanteras (Day of Prosperity): The first day of Diwali is dedicated to wealth and prosperity. People clean and decorate their homes to welcome the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth. It’s also customary to buy new utensils, jewelry, or gold on this day as a sign of good fortune.
- Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali (The Day of Liberation): This day symbolizes the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. People wake up early, apply special oils, and bathe as a form of purification. In some regions, this day is also referred to as Choti Diwali, or “Small Diwali.”
- Lakshmi Puja (Main Diwali Day): This is the most important day of Diwali. Families gather to perform Lakshmi Puja, seeking blessings for prosperity, health, and happiness. Homes and temples are illuminated with diyas (oil lamps) and decorated with colorful rangoli (intricate patterns made from colored powder, flower petals, or rice). Fireworks and feasts add to the joyous atmosphere.
- Govardhan Puja or Annakut (The Day of Gratitude): On this day, people express gratitude for food, shelter, and nature’s bounty. It commemorates Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to protect his village from torrential rains. People prepare lavish meals and offer them in temples to honor the occasion.
- Bhai Dooj (Brother-Sister Bonding Day): The final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform a ceremony for their brothers’ well-being, and in return, brothers give gifts to their sisters, symbolizing love and protection.
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? What to know about the Hindu festival of lights
Customs and Traditions Associated with Diwali
Diwali customs vary across regions, but there are some common elements that embody the spirit of the festival. Here are some of the main traditions:
- Lighting Diyas and Candles: Lighting diyas (oil lamps) and candles is central to Diwali. These lights are not only decorative but symbolize the removal of ignorance and the arrival of enlightenment. In many homes, diyas are placed in every corner and window to ward off negative energies.
- Rangoli Art: Rangoli is an art form where intricate designs are created using colored powders, flower petals, or rice. These designs are usually placed near entrances to welcome guests and the goddess Lakshmi into the home.
- Exchanging Gifts and Sweets: Diwali is a time for expressing gratitude and sharing joy with loved ones. Families and friends exchange gifts, including traditional sweets like laddoos, barfis, and halwas. Sharing sweets and gifts fosters a sense of togetherness and appreciation.
- Fireworks and Sparklers: Fireworks have been a part of Diwali celebrations for centuries, symbolizing the joy and excitement of the occasion. In recent years, people have moved toward eco-friendly fireworks to reduce environmental impact.
- Prayers and Meditation: Diwali is a spiritual time for many. People engage in prayers, meditate, and practice charity, donating food, clothes, and money to the less fortunate.
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? What to know about the Hindu festival of lights
The Modern Significance of Diwali
Today, Diwali is more than a traditional holiday; it has become an opportunity for people of different backgrounds to come together and celebrate. The themes of good triumphing over evil, light dispelling darkness, and new beginnings resonate universally. It’s a time for reconnecting with family, strengthening relationships, and reflecting on the values of kindness and compassion.
Diwali also highlights the importance of sustainability in modern celebrations. As more people become aware of environmental concerns, they are opting for eco-friendly decorations, sustainable rangoli materials, and quiet or minimal fireworks, making Diwali not only a cultural but also an environmentally conscious event.
Final Thoughts
Diwali is a deeply symbolic and spiritually enriching festival that extends beyond religious boundaries. Celebrated across continents, it’s a reminder of hope, renewal, and unity. The rituals, from lighting diyas to sharing sweets, are expressions of gratitude, faith, and joy. As we honor the traditions of Diwali, we also embrace its timeless message: that light, goodness, and harmony will always prevail, lighting the path forward for humanity.
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated? What to know about the Hindu festival of lights
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Diwali
1. What is Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu “Festival of Lights.” It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Traditionally, homes are decorated with oil lamps (diyas), and families gather for prayers, feasts, and festive activities. Diwali holds significance for Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world, with each religion adding its unique perspective to the celebration.
2. When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls between mid-October and mid-November. It is celebrated on the new moon night (Amavasya) of the month of Kartika. In 2024, Diwali will be observed on November 1.
3. Why is Diwali called the Festival of Lights?
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights because people light diyas (oil lamps) and decorate their homes with lanterns and candles, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. The glowing diyas are believed to guide the goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, into people’s homes.
4. What are the origins of Diwali?
Diwali has various origins rooted in Hindu mythology:
- Ramayana: Diwali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeating the demon king Ravana.
- Lakshmi Puja: Many worship the goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, inviting prosperity into their homes.
- Other faiths: For Jains, Diwali marks Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Nirvana. Sikhs commemorate Guru Hargobind Ji’s release from imprisonment, while some Buddhists honor the Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism on Diwali.
5. How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated over five days:
- Dhanteras: People clean and decorate homes, buy new utensils, and prepare for the festivities.
- Naraka Chaturdashi: Early morning cleansing rituals mark the symbolic defeat of the demon Narakasura.
- Lakshmi Puja: The main day of Diwali, when people perform puja for the goddess Lakshmi and decorate homes with rangoli and diyas.
- Govardhan Puja: Celebrated with prayers and gratitude, it often includes a feast with family.
- Bhai Dooj: Honors the bond between brothers and sisters, who pray for each other’s well-being and exchange gifts.
6. What foods are popular during Diwali?
Diwali is celebrated with a variety of sweets, snacks, and traditional dishes. Popular sweets include laddoos, barfis, jalebis, gulab jamuns, and kaju katli. Savory snacks like samosas, kachoris, and chaklis are also popular, as well as elaborate family meals that vary by region.
7. What is the importance of lighting diyas and making rangoli?
Lighting diyas is believed to ward off negative energies and welcome prosperity and happiness into the home. Diyas and candles also honor the victory of light over darkness. Rangoli is an art form where intricate patterns are created at home entrances using colored powder, flower petals, or rice, welcoming guests and inviting blessings from the goddess Lakshmi.
8. Why do people exchange gifts during Diwali?
Exchanging gifts is a way to express gratitude and strengthen bonds with loved ones. Diwali gifts often include sweets, dry fruits, clothes, and items that symbolize good fortune. The gesture embodies the joy of giving and sharing happiness.
9. Is Diwali only celebrated in India?
While Diwali is most prominent in India, it’s also celebrated by Indian communities and Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists worldwide, including in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and Mauritius.
10. Is Diwali celebrated the same way in all religions?
Although Diwali is widely celebrated across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, each religion observes it with its unique rituals and meanings. For example:
- Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama and worship the goddess Lakshmi.
- Jains honor Lord Mahavira’s attainment of Nirvana.
- Sikhs remember Guru Hargobind Ji’s release from imprisonment.
- Buddhists celebrate Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism.
11. What are eco-friendly ways to celebrate Diwali?
To celebrate Diwali sustainably, people can:
- Use biodegradable or clay diyas instead of plastic lights.
- Create rangoli with natural colors like rice powder, flower petals, or spices.
- Opt for quiet, eco-friendly fireworks or no fireworks at all.
- Donate to charities or participate in community service instead of excessive shopping.
12. What is Bhai Dooj?
Bhai Dooj is the last day of Diwali, dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being, and brothers give gifts in return, symbolizing protection and mutual respect. It’s similar to Raksha Bandhan in its emphasis on sibling bonds.
13. What’s the best way to wish someone a Happy Diwali?
A simple “Happy Diwali” or “Wishing you a joyous Diwali and a prosperous New Year” is perfect. Alternatively, you can say, “May this Diwali bring light, joy, and prosperity to you and your family.”
Diwali embodies universal values of kindness, gratitude, and togetherness. Its celebrations bring people closer and remind us all to be grateful, to celebrate the triumph of good over evil, and to look forward to new beginnings with hope and optimism.