In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). In Sri Lanka and. The height of Diwali is celebrated on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of Ashvin or Kartika. [183] These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put people's health at stake. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century bce. The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. People often think of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains . They celebrate by lighting lamps, decorating temples and monasteries, and worshipping the Buddha. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The devotion and dedication of Hanuman pleased Rama so much that he blessed Hanuman to be worshipped before him. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Diwali or Deepavali - "The festival of lights" is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Among Hindus the most widespread customis the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. In South India the festival marks Krishnas defeat of the demon Narakasura. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. [20][45] The term is derived from the Sanskrit words dpa, "lamp, light, lantern, candle, that which glows, shines, illuminates or knowledge"[46] and vali, "a row, range, continuous line, series". The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue was founded as Secretariat for non-Christians by Pope Paul VI. [13][14][15][16] The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi,[17][18] goddess of prosperity and Ganesha, god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, with many other regional traditions connecting the holiday to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Shiva, Kali, Hanuman, Kubera, Yama, Yami, Dhanvantari, or Vishvakarman. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Large government-sponsored festivals are held in London, Sydney, Toronto, and Edinburgh, and they are often a showcase for Indian culture, music, dance, fashion, food, crafts, and fireworks. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. Because the festival of Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the dates are different each year. According to Pintchman, in some Hindu traditions the women recite tales where sisters protect their brothers from enemies that seek to cause him either bodily or spiritual harm. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. Diwali Decor. Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. Diwali usually falls in October or November. It is an official holiday in a dozen countries, while the other festive days are regionally observed as either public or optional restricted holidays in India. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? For Jains, it is a time to celebrate Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the moment reached a state of enlightenment. The dates of Diwali change every year, though the five day festival generally falls between late October and early November. Diwali is a five-day religious festival. [143] In Gujarat, Annakut is the first day of the new year and celebrated through the purchase of essentials, or sabras (literally, "good things in life"), such as salt, offering prayers to Krishna and visiting temples. [140], This day ritually celebrates the bond between the wife and husband,[143] and in some Hindu communities, husbands will celebrate this with gifts to their wives. Diwali or Deepawali, known as the "festival of lights," is usually celebrated in October or November, and is on October 24 this year. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. [59][60] The 16th-century Portuguese traveler Domingo Paes wrote of his visit to the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire, where Dipavali was celebrated in October with householders illuminating their homes, and their temples, with lamps. [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and writes about India travel. Diwali is an important festival in Jainism. This begins with the first day known as "Dhanteras' or the worship of wealth. It's observed on the 15th day of the month. The main festival day falls on a different date each autumn, timed to the Hindu lunar calendar, but it . He explained that though the actual Hindu festival day is the same, it is identified differently in regional calendars because there are two traditions in the Hindu calendar. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Diwali is celebrated for almost five days consecutively. [43] In western states such as Gujarat, and certain northern Hindu communities of India, the festival of Diwali signifies the start of a new year. Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is the new moon day of the first month of the lunar year. [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. On the eve of his first visit to India as President of the United States, Obama released an official statement sharing his best wishes with "those celebrating Diwali". Diwali, for Vasavada, would always culminate in a large family feast with enough food to feed a small town. October 18, 2019 By Simran Jeet Singh (RNS) With more than a billion people celebrating Diwali every year, the festival is one of the largest and most significant religious observances. [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. [116][114] Women and children decorate doorways within homes and offices with rangolis, colourful designs made from rice flour, flower petals, colored rice or colored sand,[23] while the boys and men decorate the roofs and walls of family homes, markets, and temples and string up lights and lanterns. It celebrates the sister-brother bond, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan but it is the brother that travels to meet the sister and her family. [64][65][d][e], Publications from the British colonial era also made mention of Diwali, such as the note on Hindu festivals published in 1799 by Sir William Jones, a philologist known for his early observations on Sanskrit and Indo-European languages. [184], During Diwali, the levels of suspended particulate matter increase. It's the holiday season and Diwali is around the corner. [135] Vaishnava families recite Hindu legends of the victory of good over evil and the return of hope after despair on the Diwali night, where the main characters may include Rama, Krishna, Vamana or one of the avatars of Vishnu, the divine husband of Lakshmi. People will wear their best clothes and pray to Lakshmi as lamps are lit outside homes and temples. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. In India, while everyone celebrates Deepavali, people don't amass in public, but rather in small groups with their friends and families in homes, neighborhoods, and local temple communities. Dates for 2020 to 2025. The festival usually falls between mid-October and mid-November. [176], Every year during Diwali, Indian forces approach their Pakistani counterparts at the border bearing gifts of traditional Indian confectionery, a gesture that is returned in kind by the Pakistani soldiers who give Pakistani sweets to the Indian soldiers. Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewelry, firecrackers, and other items. [135][136] At dusk, lamps placed earlier in the inside and outside of the home are lit up to welcome Lakshmi. The diyas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Kishore Purana as symbolising parts of the sun, describing it as the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life and which seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. [81], Many Hindus associate the festival with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu. [107] According to some observers, this traditional celebration by Newar Buddhists in Nepal, through the worship of Lakshmi and Vishnu during Diwali, is not syncretism but rather a reflection of the freedom within Mahayana Buddhist tradition to worship any deity for their worldly betterment.[29]. The Prayer Hymn (Aarti) for the Hindu Diwali Celebration, The Real Reason for the Hindu Raksha Bandhan Celebration, Hindu Calendar: Days, Months, Years and Epochs, Fasting, Praying, and Regular Hindu Rituals. For other uses, see, Indoor Diwali decorations in front of an altar, Line of lamps at Bedara Kannappa temple, Mysore, Diyas lit for Diwali at Golden Temple, Punjab, Decorative lights for Diwali on a house in Haryana. [117][118][119], The third day is the height of the festival,[126] and coincides with the last day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik. [12] According to Goldstein, these are then shaped into various forms, such as laddus, barfis, halwa, kachoris, shrikhand, and sandesh, rolled and stuffed delicacies, such as karanji, shankarpali, maladu, susiyam, pottukadalai. The reason Diwali's celebration date is different each year is that each of the Hindu calendarsthere are severalis lunisolar, meaning they take into effect both the movements of the sun and the moon. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. It takes place on November 26 this year. Gambling, especially in the form of card games, is encouraged as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year and in remembrance of the games of dice played by Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailasa or similar contests between Radha and Krishna. It began sending official greetings and message to Muslims in 1967 on. [171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It is traditionally a puja, or a celebration that worships, honors, and shows devotion to the divine. Illustrative Islamic records, states Stephen Blake, include those of 16th-century Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi who wrote, "during Diwali. the ignorant ones amongst Muslims, particularly women, perform the ceremonies they celebrate it like their own Id and send presents to their daughters and sisters,. they attach much importance and weight to this season [of Diwali]. [73] According to Lorenz Franz Kielhorn, a German Indologist known for translating many Indic inscriptions, this festival is mentioned as Dipotsavam in verses 6 and 7 of the Ranganatha temple Sanskrit inscription of the 13th-century Kerala Hindu king Ravivarman Samgramadhira. "When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew. [169][r], Many governments encourage or sponsor Diwali-related festivities in their territories. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426 (accessed March 4, 2023). Like : If I was born on Sept 18 th - which is a full moon day I need to celebrate my bday on a full moon day in that month( even month is different from calender months) Hop. The festival climax is on the third day and is called the main Diwali. In North India the festival also celebrates the royal homecoming of Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, thus connecting the festival with the holiday of Dussehra. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . (2021, September 4). According to Audrey Truschke, the Sunni Muslim emperor Aurangzeb did limit "public observation" of many religious holidays such as Hindu Diwali and Holi, but also of Shia observance of Muharram and the Persian holiday of Nauruz. Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. [166] Stock markets like NSE and BSE in India are typically closed during Diwali, with the exception of a Diwali Muhurat trading session for an hour in the evening to coincide with the beginning of the new year. As per India's official holiday calendar, Diwali in 2020 will be on Saturday, November 14, coinciding with the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Where does Diwali get its name? Iff a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. Find out all about the history, traditions and significance of Diwali in this blogpost. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious festivals worldwide, it takes place every year between October and November and it commemorates the spiritual victory of light over darkness. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. For planning purposes, here are the dates for the main celebrations for Diwali for the next few years: The date to celebrate Diwali generally changes by a week to 10 days every year. [162][q] ASSOCHAM, a trade organisation in India, forecasted that online shopping alone to be over 300 billion (US$3.8billion) over the 2017 Diwali season. The second day is devoted to Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Edward Reddcliff Every year the festival falls either in November or in October and that depends on how the cycle of moon is going in that particular year. Because Diwali is such a meaningful celebration, festivities are often planned years in advance. The main festival is on Sunday, but festivities begin on Friday, a day called Dhanteras. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. "When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? At such events a variety of music, dance and arts performances, food, crafts, and cultural celebrations are featured. Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobinds return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalioran echo of Ramas return to Ayodhya. [177][s], The use of fireworks also causes an increase in the number of burn injuries in India during Diwali. Also known as the 'festival of lights', the celebration usually lasts for five days. This year it was from November 5th-9th and in 2019 it will be October 25-29th. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. Each day of the festival has special significance. What are the 5 Diwali Days in 2022? This is followed by Choti Diwali the next day and Diwali on November 4. Lasting over five days, the holiday is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. It is determined by the Indian calendar and the dates of celebration change every year. Major temples and homes are decorated with lights, festive foods shared with all, friends and relatives remembered and visited with gifts. This is believed to please Yama, the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books. Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of the festival on November 3. The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. ( See calendar ). [47][b], The five-day celebration is observed every year in early autumn after the conclusion of the summer harvest. This year, Diwali will be on Thursday, Nov. 4. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. The inscription states that Ramachandracharya built and dedicated a drama performance hall, with a golden cupola, on Diwali. More Topics A few, notably the Mughal emperor Akbar, welcomed and participated in the festivities,[62][63] whereas others banned such festivals as Diwali and Holi, as Aurangzeb did in 1665. While Diwali spans five days, the holiday reaches its peak on day three this year, falling on Oct. 24, 2022. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. Das, Subhamoy. Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution). "[74][h], Jain inscriptions, such as the 10th-century Saundatti inscription about a donation of oil to Jinendra worship for the Diwali rituals, speak of Dipotsava. Hindu temples on this day prepare and present "mountains of sweets" to the faithful who have gathered for darshan (visit). [12] Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, business associates and relatives, and exchanging gifts. In 2021, Diwali is on November 4. [135][61] While the cleaning, or painting, of the home is in part for goddess Lakshmi, it also signifies the ritual "reenactment of the cleansing, purifying action of the monsoon rains" that would have concluded in most of the Indian subcontinent. The names and events of the individual days of Diwali are as follows: The first day, known as Dhanteras, is dedicated to cleaning homes and purchasing small items of gold. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Sometimes these are wrapped with edible silver foil (vark). [75][76] Another early 13th-century Sanskrit stone inscription, written in the Devanagari script, has been found in the north end of a mosque pillar in Jalore, Rajasthan evidently built using materials from a demolished Jain temple. [125], Some Hindus observe Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya) on the second day of Diwali, instead of the first day. After firing, the fine dust particles get settled on the surrounding surfaces which are packed with chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, magnesium, cadmium and pollutants like oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. [79], Hindus of eastern India associate the festival with the Goddess Kali, who symbolises the victory of good over evil. Diwali festivities usually last for 5 days. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. This festival gets its name from "Deepa" meaning "Light" and "Avali" meaning "Row". Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. Diaspora, Identity, and Festivalization, The Festival of 'Deepavali' as Marks of Tradition and Identity for Working, Married Hindu Women: Continuity and Change, Celebrations as Social Investments: Festival Expenditures, Unit Price Variation, and Social Status in Rural India, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal. Diwali is usually celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami festival, with Dhanteras, or the regional equivalent, marking the first day of the festival when celebrants prepare by cleaning their homes and making decorations on the floor, such as rangolis. [12][114] Families also prepare homemade delicacies for Lakshmi Pujan, regarded as the main day of Diwali. Diwali, like many other Indian holidays, is based on the Indian lunar calendar, so the (internationally used) date of the festival changes each year, but it typically falls between mid-October and early November. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. amnta / primnta. Das, Subhamoy. [86][87], Trade and merchant families and others also offer prayers to Saraswati, who embodies music, literature and learning and Kubera, who symbolises book-keeping, treasury and wealth management. [83][84][85] Hindus from the Braj region in northern India, parts of Assam, as well as southern Tamil and Telugu communities view Diwali as the day the god Krishna overcame and destroyed the evil demon king Narakasura, in yet another symbolic victory of knowledge and good over ignorance and evil.