"[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. When is Diwali 2022: What is Diwali, who celebrates it and how to wish When is Diwali celebrated every year? - Quora [128][95], The day after Diwali is the first day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. [108] During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with saaki (earthen lamp), diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth,[l] light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Corrections? In some months, a day needs to be dropped to correlate with a shorter lunar cycle. 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. 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. The exact dates change each year but this year, Diwali falls on Monday 24 October. [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. 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 name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. [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. Forget bitterness. The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. The Hindu calendar is based on both the sun and moon (while the Gregorian calendar is only based on the sun). The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewelry, firecrackers, and other items. However, the focus of the Jain Diwali remains the dedication to Mahavira. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. Every year it is celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu month Kartika. 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. [102] The festival of Diwali, according to Ray Colledge, highlights three events in Sikh history: the founding of the city of Amritsar in 1577, the release of Guru Hargobind from the Mughal prison, and the day of Bhai Mani Singh's martyrdom in 1738 as a result of his failure to pay a fine for trying to celebrate Diwali and thereafter refusing to convert to Islam. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights | Live Science 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. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The duration will be 1 hour 56 minutes. Diwali in 2023/2024 - When, Where, Why, How is Celebrated? [124] Many visit their favourite Hindu temple. Over time, these spring and autumn festivals became the most important of Sikh festivals and holy sites such as Amritsar became focal points for annual pilgrimages. Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn, coinciding with the new moon, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar. [143], In some rural communities of the north, west and central regions, the fourth day is celebrated as Govardhan puja, honouring the legend of the Hindu god Krishna saving the cowherd and farming communities from incessant rains and floods triggered by Indra's anger,[143] which he accomplished by lifting the Govardhan mountain. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. [112] [o] The looms, tools of trade, machines and workplaces are cleaned and prayers offered to these livelihood means. Das, Subhamoy. It . Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. Diwali is also known as the 'Festival of Light' because it is celebrated using lights, fireworks and lanterns in private homes and public places. [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. Diwali usually falls in October or November. The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. The 5 days of Diwali [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. Although most important for Hindus, the festival is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. [135][136] At dusk, lamps placed earlier in the inside and outside of the home are lit up to welcome Lakshmi. 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. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month (the month of Kartik) in India's calendar. The dates of Diwali change every year, though the five day festival generally falls between late October and early November. Five Days of Diwali - Diwali 5 Days, Diwalifestival.org Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." [49] (According to Indologist Constance Jones, this night ends the lunar month of Ashwin and starts the month of Kartik[50] but see this note[c] and Amanta and Purnima systems.) In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. However, in South India, the festival is observed as the defeat of Narakasura. Importance of Diwali Festival and Its Significance | About Diwali Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Spread joy. [21][22] Many towns organise community parades and fairs with parades or music and dance performances in parks. The fifth day, called Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Historical records appear inconsistent about the name of the lunar month in which Diwali is observed. [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. People often think of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains . 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. Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . ( See calendar ). [129] At dusk, family members gather for the Lakshmi Pujan,[129] although prayers will also be offered to other deities, such as Ganesha, Saraswati, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanuman, or Kubera. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. [68] In his paper on The Lunar Year of the Hindus, Jones, then based in Bengal, noted four of the five days of Diwali in the autumn months of Aswina-Cartica [sic] as the following: Bhutachaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd day), Lacshmipuja dipanwita (the day of Diwali), Dyuta pratipat Belipuja (4th day), and Bhratri dwitiya (5th day). This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. . In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023? It is observed by the Vajrayana Buddhist minority among the Newarpeople of Nepal. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. 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. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4.. Diwali is celebrated every year in either October or November, based on the lunar cycle. iStock.com/triloks What Do People Do? [123], This day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Karnataka. 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). What Is Diwali? Here's What to Know About the Holiday Dates for 2020 to 2025." [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". Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Each day of the festival has special significance. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. It was in early 20th-century, states Harjot Oberoi, a scholar of Sikh history, when the Khalsa Tract Society triggered by the, Hindus of eastern and northeastern states of India associate the festival with the goddess. What is Diwali? - BBC Bitesize Because the festival of Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the dates are different each year. [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. The common celebratory practices are known as the festival of light, however there are minor differences from state to state in India. [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. All About Diwali 2022: When & How to Celebrate | CompareRemit It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. Kartik overlaps with October and November. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. Diwali is celebrated for five days, each with its own special significance. Some Muslims joined the Hindu community in celebrating Diwali in the Mughal era. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Complete guide to visiting India during Diwali - Explore With Lora https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426 (accessed March 4, 2023). Each day has a different name and rituals. 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. [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. Learn Religions. 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). Next year (2024) November 1 (Friday) Last year (2022) October 24 (Monday) This holiday gets its name from the rows of clay lamps that Indians light just outside their houses. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. [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. 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. It takes place on November 26 this year. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. [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. [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. Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. 2. Food is a major focus with families partaking in feasts and sharing mithai. The third day is the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. Amavasya Tithi on Diwali begins at. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 24th which is a new moon day or Amavasya. [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. When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? 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. [79], Hindus of eastern India associate the festival with the Goddess Kali, who symbolises the victory of good over evil. Unlike some other festivals, the Hindus typically do not fast during the five-day long Diwali including Lakshmi Pujan, rather they feast and share the bounties of the season at their workplaces, community centres, temples, and homes. 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. 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. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. [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. The name of this festival is derived from 'avali,' which means 'row,' and 'deepa,' meaning "clay lamps." One tradition starts a new month from the new moon, while the other starts it from the full moon. [61], Islamic historians of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire era also mentioned Diwali and other Hindu festivals. This year, Diwali falls at the start of November beginning with Dhanteras on November 2. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. Das, Subhamoy. [147] In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or invite their sister's family to their village to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests. Diwali, for Vasavada, would always culminate in a large family feast with enough food to feed a small town. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). [148] On this day the womenfolk of the family gather, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of feeding their brothers with their hands and receiving gifts. Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. What is Diwali? While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. 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 Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). 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. The date of Deepavali on the new moon makes it the darkest night in the month of Kartik, when the nights are cold, long, and dark: all the lights make that darkness easier to bear. [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. [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 over five days in most of North India. [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. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. [43], The artisan Hindu and Sikh community celebrates the fourth day as the Vishwakarma puja day. Happy Diwali Festival 2021: its meaning and traditional Diwali food This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24. Some 200,000 New Yorkers celebrate Diwali each year, per state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar . Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. Diwali 2022: When is the festival of lights and how is it celebrated Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. It is the main day of the Diwali festival. There are many stories around the celebration of Diwali. [27] Newar Buddhists, unlike other Buddhists, celebrate Diwali by worshipping Lakshmi, while the Hindus of Eastern India and Bangladesh generally celebrate Diwali by worshipping the goddess Kali. On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers. Every year on the darkest night in the northern hemisphere, millions illuminate their homes and streets to celebrate the victory of good over evil. 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. [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. These purchases are often gold and silver items or new utensils. 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. Diwali is also celebrated to mark the return of Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon-king Ravana and completing his fourteen years of exile. Make sure you check the dates online if you plan on visiting India during 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. 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. Seven Gifts that are inauspicious in the eyes of Goddess Laxmi! [50] It is mentioned in mentioned in early Sanskrit texts, such as the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, both of which were completed in the second half of the 1st millennium CE. When is Diwali 2021? Start date of Hindu festival of lights - mirror [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. [70][71][g] Examples include a 10th-century Rashtrakuta empire copper plate inscription of Krishna III (939967 CE) that mentions Dipotsava,[72] and a 12th-century mixed Sanskrit-Kannada Sinda inscription discovered in the Isvara temple of Dharwad in Karnataka where the inscription refers to the festival as a "sacred occasion". DEV DEEPAWALI - November 26, 2023 - National Today 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. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November.
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