Many light diyas and keep them burning throughout the night. [139], The celebrations and rituals of the Jains and the Sikhs are similar to those of the Hindus where social and community bonds are renewed. In his 11th-century memoir on India, the Persian traveler and historian Al Biruni wrote of Deepavali being celebrated by Hindus on the day of the New Moon in the month of Kartika. [4] Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists,[29] although for each faith it marks different historical events and stories, but nonetheless the festival represents the same symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. The Catholic dicastery Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, founded as Secretariat for non-Christians by Pope Paul VI, began sending official greetings and the Pope's message to the Hindus on Diwali in the mid-1990s. [141][142] In another interpretation, it is thought to reference the legend of Parvati and her husband Shiva playing a game of dyuta (dice) on a board of twelve squares and thirty pieces, Parvati wins. Diwali is also an important festival in Jainism. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. Learn Religions, Oct. 12, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). Part of the inscription, as translated by Kielhorn, reads: "the auspicious festival of lights which disperses the most profound darkness, which in former days was celebrated by the kings Ila, Kartavirya and Sagara, () as Sakra (Indra) is of the gods, the universal monarch who knows the duties by the three Vedas, afterwards celebrated here at Ranga for Vishnu, resplendent with Lakshmi resting on his radiant lap. It's believed that on this day the Goddess Lakshmi, often associated with wealth, abundance and good fortune, visits people's homes and fulfils their desires. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Kartik overlaps with October and November. [7] The Jains observe their own Diwali which marks the final liberation of Mahavira,[25][26] the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. It is believed that spirits roam around on the night of Kali Chaudas, and Hanuman, who is the deity of strength, power, and protection, is worshipped to seek protection from the spirits. Jean Mead, How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, "2022 Diwali Puja Calendar, Deepavali Puja Calendar for New Delhi, NCT, India", "Diwali 2020 Date in India: When is Diwali in 2020? "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" This year, Diwali will be on Thursday, Nov. 4. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209 (accessed March 4, 2023). The devotion and dedication of Hanuman pleased Rama so much that he blessed Hanuman to be worshipped before him. [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. The incredible amount of fireworks and firecrackers set off during the five days of Diwali have become an issue in many Indian cities, to the point that ambient air and noise during Diwali are considered somewhat of a health hazard. Diwali will become a public school holiday in New York City starting next year, Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced Thursday.. Why it matters: Diwali, a celebration of light over darkness that starts on Oct. 24 this year, is one of the most sacred holidays observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Fireworks are often set off in the evening to celebrate Diwali. [122] A mythological interpretation of this festive day is the destruction of the asura (demon) Narakasura by Krishna, a victory that frees 16,000 imprisoned princesses kidnapped by Narakasura. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. Typically the holiday falls in October or November, as it's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holy month of the Hindu lunar calendar . Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter, or son, together with their spouses to a festive meal and give them gifts. Diwali festivities usually last for 5 days. 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. One particular firework called anar (fountain) has been found to be responsible for 65% of such injuries, with adults being the typical victims. [153][p] In the modern day, Diwali mela are held at college, or university, campuses or as community events by members of the Indian diaspora. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. Diwali (English: /dwli/), Dewali, Divali,[3] or Deepavali (IAST: dpval), also known as the Festival of Lights,[4][5] related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious[6] celebration in Indian religions. The five days are as follows:. We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. Hence Deepavali has been . People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. . Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. The main festival day falls on a different date each autumn, timed to the Hindu lunar calendar, but it . In the diaspora, all the countries in the world outside of the Indian subcontinent where Indian people have settled, Diwali is considered a public celebration open to Hindus and anyone else. This legend is remembered through the ritual of building small mountain-like miniatures from cow dung. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. [86], Mythical tales shared on Diwali vary widely depending on region and even within Hindu tradition,[88] yet all share a common focus on righteousness, self-inquiry and the importance of knowledge,[89][90] which, according to Lindsey Harlan, an Indologist and scholar of Religious Studies, is the path to overcoming the "darkness of ignorance". [154][155][91], Diwali marks a major shopping period in India,[31] and is comparable to the Christmas period in terms of consumer purchases and economic activity. The one festival in India that is celebrated above the caste & religion that is Diwali. Das, Subhamoy. In 2022, Diwali is on Monday 24 October. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [13][14][93][94], A scholar of Jain and Nivethan, states that in Jain tradition, Diwali is celebrated in observance of "Mahavira Nirvana Divas", the physical death and final nirvana of Mahavira. [112][113], Rituals and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance, typically after the festival of Dusshera that precedes Diwali by about 20 days. [169][r], Many governments encourage or sponsor Diwali-related festivities in their territories. In some months, a day needs to be dropped to correlate with a shorter lunar cycle. (2021, September 4). The Jain Diwali celebrated in many parts of India has similar practices to the Hindu Diwali, such as the lighting of lamps and the offering of prayers to Lakshmi. In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants prepare by cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces with diyas (oil lamps) and rangolis (colorful art circle patterns). It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. [165] About two-thirds of Indian households, according to the ASSOCHAM forecast, would spend between 5,000 (US$63) and 10,000 (US$130) to celebrate Diwali in 2017. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. 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. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. It is one of the most important festivals within Hinduism [7] [8] where it generally lasts five days (or six in some regions of India), and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (according to the amanta tradition) and Kartika (between mid- October and mid- November ). About Diwali. Diwali Diwali (or Deepawali, Deepavali) is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated in autumn every year. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. The dates of Diwali change every year, though the five day festival generally falls between late October and early November. The common celebratory practices are known as the festival of light, however there are minor differences from state to state in India. This is believed to please Yama, the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). As the term "Festival of Lights" suggests, the celebration involves millions of lights illuminated from rooftops, doorways, and windows in thousands of temples and buildings all over the countries where the festival is observed. Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. One tradition starts a new month from the new moon, while the other starts it from the full moon. It takes place on November 26 this year. This day marks the beginning of deepawali celebrations. Diwali this year is a close-knit family affair. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. But when Diwali occurs in the calendar changes every year. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. [167] In 2020, the INDF ETF was launched to mark the start of Diwali. One tradition links the festival to legends in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Diwali is the day Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman reached Ayodhya after a period of 14 years in exile after Rama's army of good defeated demon king Ravana's army of evil. It is well preserved on the north wall of the second. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) [121] It is also celebrated as Roop Chaudas in some North Indian households, where women bathe before sunrise, while lighting a Diya (lamp) in the bath area, they believe it helps enhance their beauty it is a fun ritual that young girls enjoy as part of festivities. Diwali or Deepawali, known as the "festival of lights," is usually celebrated in October or November, and is on October 24 this year. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. The festival usually falls between mid-October and mid-November. On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity; light diyas, candles, and fireworks; andvisittemples. Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Shopkeepers and small operations perform puja rituals in their office premises. Sikhs historically referred to this festival as Diwali. During the festival, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs illuminate their homes, temples and workspaces with diyas (oil lamps), candles and lanterns[16] Hindus, in particular, have a ritual oil bath at dawn on each day of the festival.
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