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What is Diwali?

Diwali isIndiaThe largest and most important festival, also known as the "Festival of Lights". It is celebrated mainly by Hindus and is comparable in importance to Christmas for Christians. Over the centuries, other religions have also given significance to this day outside the Hindu community. The name itself is derived from the Sanskrit word "deepavali", which translates as "rows of lit lamps". To break it down further, according to Sanskrit dictionaries, the word "avali" translates as "row" and the word "deepa" translates as "lamp". ". That's why Hindus celebrate Diwali by decorating their homes with lanterns, clay lamps and fireworks - hence the celebration's name. The reason? To represent the inner light that protects them from spiritual darkness.

Origin of Diwali

The roots of Diwali can be traced back to early Sanskrit texts. While the festival is often considered to be a celebration of the triumph of good over evil, its origin story varies from region to region across India.

In south India, the festival symbolises the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura, while north India associates it with the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after lighting a row of clay lamps to defeat Ropona.

In western India, the festival represents the day when the protector god Vishnu (one of the main gods of the Hindu trinity) sent the demonic king Bari to rule the underworld, while in Bengal and other parts of eastern India, the goddess Kali is worshipped.

Diwali Celebration Groups

Although Diwali is the most important Hindu festival, over the centuries it has become a national festival celebrated by non-Hindu communities, including Jains and Sikhs.

Hindus associate the festival with the return of Lord Lomos from exile, while Jains believe it is the day Lord Mahavira reached a state of nirvana, the BBC reports. For Sikhs, Diwali marks the day when the sixth Guru, Hargobind Singh, was released from prison and the laying of the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar (a Sikh shrine).

How Diwali is celebrated

Diwali is a five-day celebration, sometimes six, depending on the region of India. The customs and rituals of Diwali vary over the five days of celebrating the festival. Dhanteras marks the first day of the festival while Bhai Dooj marks the last day of the festival.

The first day commemorates the birth of Lord Dhanvantri (the god of medicine). To celebrate, followers usually clean their houses and buy new items - especially utensils and gold - to bring good luck.

The next day is known as Naraka Chaturdasi, which commemorates Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama's descent to Earth to alleviate the suffering of those tormented by the demon Narakasura. To celebrate, followers wake up early and use aromatic oils to purify their sins. Clay lamps or "diyas" are also used to decorate their houses.

The third day is the main day of Diwali, also known as Lakshmi Puja. It commemorates the day when Lord Rama finally returned home from exile. To celebrate, followers illuminate their homes with candles, lights and fireworks. Also, people worship Goddess Lakshmi (the female god of wealth) through prayers on this day. Grand feasts are often organised.

The fourth day is known as Govardhan pooja, in honour of Lord Krishna, who raised Mount Govardhan and saved the people from the wrath of Lord Indra. To celebrate, followers make small replicas of the mountain (often using cow dung) and decorate it with flowers before worship.

The fifth and final day of Diwali, known as Bhai Dooj, places great emphasis on brotherly love and symbolises the brother-sister relationship between Lord Yama and his sister Yami. To celebrate, brothers usually visit their sisters and are welcomed with a sumptuous feast.

Date of Diwali

Although Diwali is celebrated every year, the day is different every year. Diwali is always held on the darkest day of the lunar month, coinciding with the new moon.

Kartik is the name of the Hindu month in which Diwali falls, which occurs annually in the northern hemisphere in autumn and in the southern hemisphere in spring. According to the Farmer's Almanac, in Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.