Also known as Deepawali and the “Festival of Lights,” Diwali is the most auspicious and awaited festival of the Hindus celebrated with immense enthusiasm and excitement. In the spiritual sense, this festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The nation gets dressed in millions of lights as soon as Diwali approaches. From the north to the south, people get drenched in the festive spirits of Diwali decorating their homes from head to toe with flowers and lights. People exchange Diwali gifts with each other and share their joyful happiness over sweets and wishes. Such is a dramatic feel of this festival which sways everyone in its mind-blowing colors and exhilaration.
Diwali is a religious festival on which people follow several traditions and customs. Therefore, it is celebrated in a ritualistic manner considering auspicious timings for every ritual.
According to the astrologers, it is vital to perform Lakshmi Puja during fixed Lagna. A “Lagna” is the most promising time slot to perform this Puja on Diwali. The four kinds of fixed Lagnas are –
The festival of Diwali is celebrated in the autumn season during the Karthik month (October/November) by the people of India with great pomp and show. It is observed on a new moon day or Amavasya, i.e. the fifteenth day of the Karthik month.
Being a popular Hindu festival, Diwali or Deepavali is celebrated throughout the country as well as in South Asian countries. The celebration of Diwali is no longer limited to the Indian borders as people of Indian origin have migrated to the international countries and have taken their rich culture and traditions along with them. Now, it is observed that the people of Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities settled in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and other countries overseas celebrate Diwali with the same enthusiasm and happiness as they used to have when they were in India.
No matter how much the rich culture, traditions and festivities of India have moved abroad with the Indian migrants, the traditions and customs observed on Diwali have remained consistent. The family gatherings and the lighting of diyas and candles to brighten up this darkest day of the lunar month fills the hearts of people with the feelings of hope, cheerfulness, and good health.
People lit their homes with candles, oil lanterns, and clay lamps and offered their prayers to the Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi for the well-being and happiness of their families. In India, people can also observe rivers and lakes floating with diyas as a mark of their prayers and worship. Fireworks are also observed for celebrations on Diwali to ward off evil spirits.
Another important custom observed on Diwali is wearing new clothes and sharing sweets and gifts with the loved ones. Some people also offer their prayers to their ancestors.
The festival of Diwali is celebrated for a total period of five days and is not just a one-day celebration. Find below the list of five days of Diwali celebrations along with their dates and meanings:
Date: 29th October 2024 - The five day Diwali celebrations begin with the festival of Dhanteras. On this day, people clean their houses and begin their preparations for the events coming up. This festival is also marked by people purchasing gold, silver and kitchenware.
31st October 2024 - Choti Diwali is the time when the decoration of homes for the festival begins. People decorate their homes with lights, candles, earthen lamps, and rangoli to welcome happiness and positive vibes in their homes.
01st November 2024 - This year, the Diwali festival is going to be celebrated on 1st of November. On this festival, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and do a Lakshmi Puja along with Lord Ganesha Puja as they believe that they visit their homes and bless them with happiness, good luck and wealth.
Exchange of Diwali sweets and other gifts is observed by families and friends. Some of them even send Diwali messages and wishes to their distant relatives as a mark of their love and admiration.
People lit their abodes with oil lamps to ward off all the negativities and evil eyes from their homes and lives.
25th November 2022 - Govardhan Puja is celebrated just after the day of Diwali in the Krthik month to celebrate the victory of Lord Krishna on God Indra. People performing this Puja prepare special vegetarian food delicacies such as rice, curry of leafy vegetables and gram flour or besan, wheat to offer to Lord Krishna.
2nd November 2024 - Bhai Dooj or Bhau Beej is the conclusion of the five day Diwali celebrations celebrating the love and care shared by brothers and sisters. A religious Tika ceremony is performed by sisters for their brothers to bless them with happiness, success, and a healthy life. After that, Bhai Dooj gifts are exchanged by siblings.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | November 1 | Friday |
| 2025 | October 21 | Tuesday |
| 2026 | November 8 | Sunday |
| 2027 | October 29 | Friday |
| 2028 | October 17 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | November 5 | Monday |
| 2030 | October 26 | Saturday |
| 2031 | November 14 | Friday |
