Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the biggest and most important holiday in India. Celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists, it symbolizes the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
When is Diwali 2024?
In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, November 01. The five-day festival usually falls between mid-October and mid-November, in accordance with the Hindu lunisolar calendar.
The days of Diwali are:
- Dhanteras - October 29
- Naraka Chaturdasi - October 31
- Diwali - November 01
- Govardhan Puja - November 02
- Bhai Dooj - November 03
The Significance & History of Diwali
The significance and myths around Diwali vary between religions and regions of India. But they all celebrate the triumph of righteousness over treachery.
The most popular story recounts Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. His subjects lit up the kingdom with earthen lamps (Diyas) to celebrate his homecoming. In another legend, the festival marks the return of goddess Lakshmi to the earth from the ocean. For some, Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity.
The Jain community in India celebrates Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana or moksha. It also marks the day King Ashoka converted to Buddhism. Sikhs celebrate Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas when Guru Hargobind Singh freed himself and 52 Hindu kings from prison.
For many Hindus, Diwali marks the beginning of a new year. It also denotes the transition from the harvesting season to the new crop cycle. Farmers worship Lakshmi on this day for a good harvest. Diwali is a reminder to renew your commitment to relationships and start the new year with positive energy.
Also Read: Dhanteras 2024: Know the Date, Muhurat, Shopping Time & Rituals
Diwali Rituals & Celebrations
Diwali rituals typically extend over a five-day period, with each day dedicated to a special observance.
Dhanteras
Dhanteras kicks off Diwali festivities. The word Dhanteras comes from Dhan, meaning wealth, and Teras, meaning 13 - it falls on the 13th day of the waning moon in the Hindu month Kartik.
On this day, Hindus clean their homes and business premises and decorate them with floor rangolis or patterns. At night, diyas are lit to invite the goddess. Some buy new utensils, and gold or silver jewellery as tokens of prosperity. The day is considered auspicious for expensive purchases and starting new ventures.
Naraka Chaturdasi
Naraka Chaturdasi or Choti Diwali falls a day before Diwali. ‘Naraka’ refers to a mythical demon killed by Krishna and ‘Chaturdasi’ means 14th day.
The legend goes that Narakasura, an evil demon king, was killed by Krishna and his wife Satyabhama on this day. Before dying, Narakasura requested a boon that his death day be celebrated with festivities every year.
On this day, Hindus wake up before sunrise for a ritual oil bath and adorn themselves in new clothes. Cows are worshipped in some parts of India. Many indulge in playing cards and gambling, permitted on this day only.
Diwali
The main day of Diwali celebrations is a joyous family affair. It is celebrated on Amavasya, the 15th day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin month of the Hindu lunar calendar.
On this day Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. His subjects welcomed him by lighting up oil lamps in their homes. People celebrate Diwali to commemorate Rama’s homecoming and victory of good over evil.
The day starts with an elaborate ritual bath before sunrise. People dress up in their finest traditional clothes or new pieces. Extended families come together to perform Lakshmi puja, offering prayers and seeking her blessings. Houses are cleaned from top to bottom and adorned with diyas, candles, and colourful rangoli designs at doorsteps.
In the evening, families gather for Lakshmi Puja, circling the diyas around the goddess amid prayers and chanting. They light up their homes, exchange sweets and gifts, and partake in lavish feasts and celebrations. The night sky comes alive with dazzling fireworks displays.
Govardhan Puja
Also called Annakut, this day celebrates the Hindu legend of Lord Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to provide villagers shelter from heavy rains.
As a child, Krishna persuaded villagers to worship the Govardhan mountain instead of Indra, the god of rain. This angered Indra, who flooded the village with ceaseless downpours. To protect the villagers and cattle, Krishna lifted the huge mountain and held it up like an umbrella for people to take shelter under.
To commemorate this myth, devotees build a mountain of food, worship it, and then distribute it as a prasad or offering. Cows are adorned and fed extra on this day.
Bhai Dooj
The last day of Diwali celebrates siblings. ‘Bhai’ means brother and ‘Dooj’ means the second day after the new moon.
It honours the sister-brother bond, similar to Raksha Bandhan. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being and brothers vow to protect their sisters.
The day is also called Yama Dwitiya as it commemorates Lord Yama’s visit to his sister Yami on this day. Yami welcomed him with a tilak and garland. Touched by the welcome, Yama declared that any brother who receives tilak and garland from his sister on this day will be blessed with health and prosperity.
Diwali Delicacies & Sweets
A huge part of Diwali celebrations is feasting on delectable Indian sweets and savouries. Different regions have their own specialties but some common Diwali delicacies are:
- Gulab jamun - fried, syrupy milk balls
- Kaju Katli - cashew nut fudge
- Gujiya - sweet dumplings stuffed with dried fruits and nuts
- Shankarpali - crisp, flaky diamond-shaped sweets
- Coconut and sesame seed ladoo - ball-shaped sweets
- Gajar or carrot halwa - grated carrot pudding with nuts
- Besan or gram flour burfi - fudge made with chickpea flour
- Peda - fudge made from reduced milk solids
- Appam - rice and coconut steamed pancake
The irresistible aroma of homemade sweets and savouries like chakli, shakarpara, and samosas fill up homes in India during Diwali. Visiting friends and relatives are greeted with an assortment of these festive treats.
Diwali Traditions and Customs
Diwali celebrations bring out rich cultural traditions, passed down through generations:
Rangoli - Vibrant floor decorations made from coloured rice, flower petals, sand, or chalk. Intricate rangoli designs adorn entrances to homes and offices during Diwali.
Diyas - Clay lamps filled with oil and lit up to signify triumph over darkness. Diyas in intricate shapes and designs are ubiquitous during Diwali.
Fireworks - Firecrackers and sparklers are set off on Diwali night to add to the festive spirit. The night sky comes alive with dazzling displays.
Pooja - Lakshmi puja and other rituals are conducted at homes on Diwali. Chants, prayers, and offerings seek the blessings of gods.
Cleaning & decoration - Thorough cleaning of homes, followed by decoration with marigold flowers and rangolis to welcome prosperity.
New clothes & gifts - Wearing new clothes is customary on Diwali. Exchanging gifts and sweets between loved ones is also a tradition.
Feasting - Elaborate feasts with sweets and savouries enjoyed with family is an integral part of the celebrations.
Laxmi Puja - This special puja is dedicated to Goddess Laxmi, the harbinger of wealth and prosperity.
Legends & stories - Regaling children with mythological stories about the significance of Diwali is a tradition.
Shopping - Markets stock up with home decor, diyas, sweets, gifts, and idols of Goddess Lakshmi ahead of Diwali, giving a festive boost to the retail industry.
Also Read: Astrological Remedies Can Ward Off Your Financial Problems
Diwali celebrations in India
Though Diwali rituals remain more or less the same, celebrations vary across the different regions of India. Here are some state-wise variations:
West Bengal: Kali Puja coincides with Diwali in Bengal, where the goddess Kali is revered on this day. Houses and pandals holding elaborate Kali murtis are lit up beautifully.
Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, Diwali celebrations span over two days. Naraka Chaturdasi marks the first day and Lakshmi Puja on Amavasya the second day. Neighbourhoods host competitive fireworks displays on both days.
Karnataka: The traditional sweet of choice is karjikai - fried dumplings made of maida stuffed with dry coconut, sesame seeds, and jaggery. Another signature Diwali delicacy is the obbattu or holige - flat, thin chapatis filled with a mixture of jaggery, coconut, and ghee.
Gujarat: Businessmen in Gujarat inaugurate their new account books on Diwali, worshipping them and praying for prosperity in the new financial year. Playing cards is customary on Naraka Chaturdasi.
Maharashtra: Diwali celebrations stretch over five days in Maharashtra. Local markets brim with traditional decorations and sweets before the festival. Faral, a special Diwali snack consisting of nuts and dried fruits is prepared.
Goa: Goans celebrate Narak Chaturdashi with feasting and firecracker fests. Handmade Akash candles or sky lanterns made of coloured paper are lit up and sent into the sky. Folk dances like the Fugdi are performed by cultural groups.
A carnivalesque atmosphere prevails with effigies of Narakasura filled with firecrackers paraded around and burned at midnight. The next day witnesses elaborate Lakshmi Puja celebrations.
Bihar & Jharkhand: The festive spirit grips Bihar and Jharkhand a month in advance and revellers immerse themselves in the festivities for a month. Temporary stalls called Pandals are set up to house ornate statues of Goddess Lakshmi along with other deities. The puja performed here lasts from 4 days to a fortnight.
Diwali in rural India is simpler with oil diyas decorating mud homes. But the sentiment and gaiety remain the same.
The beautiful festival of Diwali brings out the rich culture and tradition of India. The celebrations cut across barriers of faith, with several communities coming together to celebrate the symbolic win of light over darkness and renew their hopes for the coming year. Diwali celebrations worldwide reflect the spread and significance of Indian festivals on the global map.
