However, in South India, the festival is observed as the defeat of Narakasura. Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. The word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. The five days are as follows:. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. [20], The festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families,[17][18] but also for communities and associations, particularly those in urban areas, which will organise activities, events and gatherings. Although most important for Hindus, the festival is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. This legend is remembered through the ritual of building small mountain-like miniatures from cow dung. A lunar year varies in length, each month containing approximately 29.5 days (354 days) depending on the moon's movement with respect to the earth. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. 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. 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. Learn Religions, Oct. 12, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . Diwali Decor. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . The Hindu calendar is based on both the sun and moon (while the Gregorian calendar is only based on the sun). However you celebrate Diwali, Denver's growing Indian food scene offers a rich culinary experience for those who enjoy fresh ingredients, diverse textures, and complex combinations of spices from the South Asian subcontinent. Kartik overlaps with October and November. In 2022, the five days of Diwali begin on October 22, with the most important festival date taking place on October 24. Diwali Dates Detailed Information [168], Diwali has increasingly attracted cultural exchanges, becoming occasions for politicians and religious leaders worldwide to meet Hindu or Indian origin citizens, diplomatic staff or neighbours. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Forget bitterness. The five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. But when Diwali occurs in the calendar changes every year. [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. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. It is a day in which people rid themselves of evil and everything negative. Diwali is an important festival in Jainism. [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. The third day is the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. [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. While different historical events are observed in different regions and by different faiths, Diwali represents the triumph of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance for all the cultures that celebrate it. [183] These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put people's health at stake. Sikhs historically referred to this festival as Diwali. [140] According to Handelman and Shulman, as quoted by Pintchman, this legend is a Hindu metaphor for the cosmic process for creation and dissolution of the world through the masculine destructive power, as represented by Shiva, and the feminine procreative power, represented by Parvati, where twelve reflects the number of months in the cyclic year, while thirty are the number of days in its lunisolar month. It is usually celebrated on October or November every year. Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. [29][30] Newar Buddhists in Nepalese valleys also celebrate the Diwali festival over five days, in much the same way, and on the same days, as the Nepalese Hindu Diwali-Tihar festival. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. This celebration lasts five days and takes place during the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika. Meaning "rows of lighted lamps," Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness for different cultures across the world, especially South Asia. Most of the injuries sustained are Group I type burns (minor) requiring only outpatient care. [103][104][k], Diwali is not a festival for most Buddhists, with the exception of the Newar people of Nepal who revere various deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and celebrate Diwali by offering prayers to Lakshmi. [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. Sanskrit inscriptions in stone and copper mentioning Diwali, occasionally alongside terms such as Dipotsava, Dipavali, Divali and Divalige, have been discovered at numerous sites across India. [43][82] Along with Lakshmi, who is representative of Vaishnavism, Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Parvati and Shiva of Shaivism tradition, is remembered as one who symbolises ethical beginnings and the remover of obstacles. Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the "Festival of Lights," is the biggest festival in theHindu calendar, celebrated in early fall of each year. Diwali is observed as a Gazetted Holiday throughout the nation. [12][114] Families also prepare homemade delicacies for Lakshmi Pujan, regarded as the main day of Diwali. [79] Throughout the epic, Rama's decisions were always in line with dharma (duty) and the Diwali festival serves as a reminder for followers of hinduism to maintain their dharma in day to day life. Diwali usually falls in October or November. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangoli, consisting of elaborate designs made of colouredrice, sand, or flower petals. The fifth day, called Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. It's a one-day celebration, known as Deepavali, that usually falls a day before the main Diwali date but sometimes occurs on the same day (when the lunar days overlap). 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 falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. [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. 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 . [116] On this day, many Hindus clean their homes and business premises. Diwali always falls some time between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). 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. This year it was from November 5th-9th and in 2019 it will be October 25-29th. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. As an auspicious occasion, many Hindus will make big purchases as it's believed that this will bring good luck. Shopkeepers and small operations perform puja rituals in their office premises. [100], Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas in remembrance of the release of Guru Hargobind from the Gwalior Fort prison by the Mughal emperor Jahangir and the day he arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. [177][s], The use of fireworks also causes an increase in the number of burn injuries in India during Diwali. Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali [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. Shiva surrenders his shirt and adornments to her, rendering him naked. Learn Religions. The fourth day has different names in different regions and typically celebrates the marital bond. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 24th which is a new moon day or Amavasya. [137][138] According to Pintchman, who quotes Raghavan, this ritual may also be linked to the tradition in some communities of paying respect to ancestors. [115][144][145], The agricultural symbolism is also observed on this day by many Hindus as Annakut, literally "mountain of food". This begins with the first day known as "Dhanteras' or the worship of wealth. 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. amnta / primnta. 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. 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. Subhadra welcomes him with a tilaka on his forehead. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". 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. Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. "The first day . Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. [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. The dates for Diwali change each year, as they are based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" Dates for 2020 to 2025." To learn more, visit ISA's Instagram. 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. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. . A variety of sweets are prepared using flour, semolina, rice, chickpea flour, dry fruit pieces powders or paste, milk solids (mawa or khoya) and clarified butter (ghee). [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. Diwali is typically a four- or five-day event, starting two days before the new moon and extending two days afterward. [52] In Nepal, it is also a multiday festival, although the days and rituals are named differently, with the climax being called the Tihar festival by Hindus and Swanti festival by Buddhists. Some Muslims joined the Hindu community in celebrating Diwali in the Mughal era. Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. This is followed by Choti Diwali the next day and Diwali on November 4. About Diwali. 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. 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. Each day of the festival has special significance. It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. 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). The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. The Hindu lunar calendar has two parts: dark (Krishna paksha, or "waning moon" in Sanskrit) and light (hukla paksha, or "waxing moon"), and the new moon (amavasya) always occurs in between the parts, typically on the 15th. The women, in particular, adorn themselves in colourful attire and decorate their hands with henna. [19] Diwali is also marked with fireworks and the decoration of floors with rangoli designs, and other parts of the house with jhalars. Furthermore, it is a celebration of the day Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon Ravana. When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? Learn Religions. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. 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. Facts about Diwali 1) Diwali is an important religious festival originating in India. According to Truschke, Aurangzeb did so because he found the festivals "distasteful" and also from "concerns with public safety" lurking in the background. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. 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. [m] Contemporary Bengali celebrations mirror those found elsewhere, with teenage boys playing with fireworks and the sharing of festive food with family, but with the Shakti goddess Kali as the focus. 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. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is 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. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. 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. [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. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: msa (lunar month), paka (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). [43][55], Emperor Harsha refers to Deepavali, in the 7th-century Sanskrit play Nagananda, as Dpapratipadotsava (dpa = light, pratipad = first day, utsava = festival), where lamps were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms received gifts. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. Some suggest he lived in the 5th-century BCE contemporaneously with the Buddha. The fourth day, known as GoverdhanPuja,Balipratipada,or Annakut, commemorating Krishnas defeat of Indra, the king of the gods, is also the first day of Karttika and the start of the new year in the Vikrama (Hindu) calendar. Diwali (Deepavali) Nov 27, 2023: Guru Nanak's Birthday: Dec 25, 2023: Christmas Day: Which are the other holidays in India? Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. [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. [116] The term Dhan for this day also alludes to the Ayurvedic icon Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing, who is believed to have emerged from the "churning of cosmic ocean" on the same day as Lakshmi. The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4.. Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and writes about India travel. The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. Some Hindu communities mark the last day as Bhai Dooj or the regional equivalent, which is dedicated to the bond between sister and brother,[111] while other Hindu and Sikh craftsmen communities mark this day as Vishwakarma Puja and observe it by performing maintenance in their work spaces and offering prayers. [128][95], The day after Diwali is the first day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. One particular firework called anar (fountain) has been found to be responsible for 65% of such injuries, with adults being the typical victims. Each day has the following rituals and significance:[43], Dhanteras, derived from Dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning thirteenth, marks the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik and the beginning of Diwali in most parts of India. For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death (samsara). [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. Residents of Amritsar lit lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. (2021, October 12). In other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter, or son, together with their spouses to a festive meal and give them gifts. 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? It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. A Hindu devotee lights oil lamps at a temple during . Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. Diwali is celebrated for almost five days consecutively. This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 2022. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. [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. Diwali is the Festival of Lights, observed by Indian communities around the world. Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. 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. 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. The exact dates change each year because it follows the lunar calendar, but it is typically celebrated in October or November over a 5-day span: On day. Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [143][147], The day celebrates the sibling bond between brother and sister. 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). It coincides with the new moon (amvasy) and is deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. To produce colors when crackers are burst, carcinogenic and poisonous elements are used. Because Diwali is such a meaningful celebration, festivities are often planned years in advance. The dates change each year because they are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it typically happens in October and November. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death (samsara). 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. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. This year, Diwali 2022 begins on Monday, October 24, 2022 (24/10/2022), and finishes on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (26/10/2022). [123], This day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Karnataka. What are the 5 Diwali Days in 2022? In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. It is the main day of the Diwali festival. [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". 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. Confectioners and shops create Diwali-themed decorative displays, selling these in large quantities, which are stocked for home celebrations to welcome guests and as gifts. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" [31][32][33] The main day of the festival of Diwali (the day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in Fiji,[34] Guyana,[35] India, Malaysia,[a][36] Mauritius, Myanmar,[37] Nepal,[38] Pakistan,[39] Singapore,[40] Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. [173], Diwali was first celebrated in the White House by George W. Bush in 2003 and its religious and historical significance was officially recognized by the United States Congress in 2007. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. [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. [114], According to Tracy Pintchman, Dhanteras is a symbol of annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year. It's the holiday season and Diwali is around the corner. This festive day is interpreted by some to symbolise Yama's sister Yamuna welcoming Yama with a tilaka, while others interpret it as the arrival of Krishna at his sister Subhadra's place after defeating Narakasura. These clay lamps represent "the inner light that protects each household from spiritual darkness." While each day of Diwali has its own importance, on the third day of Diwali, this year on Oct. 24, people gather at temples to honor the goddess Lakshmi. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. When is Navaratri in 2021, 2022, and 2023? Das, Subhamoy. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. Cook, Sharell. Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartika and, much like Easter, the date changes every year. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. 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. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. [112] [o] The looms, tools of trade, machines and workplaces are cleaned and prayers offered to these livelihood means. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November.
Kegan Kline Father Tony, Brands Like Blackbough Swim, Accident Western Ring Road Today, Articles W