One particular firework called anar (fountain) has been found to be responsible for 65% of such injuries, with adults being the typical victims. To learn more, visit ISA's Instagram. On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers. Diwali is typically a four- or five-day event, starting two days before the new moon and extending two days afterward. In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity; light diyas, candles, and fireworks; andvisittemples. [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. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. To produce colors when crackers are burst, carcinogenic and poisonous elements are used. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. "When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? Every occasion represents two main things: 1. 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. The final day is Bhai Dooj and similarly, celebrates the bonds between brothers and sisters. It . Illustrative Islamic records, states Stephen Blake, include those of 16th-century Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi who wrote, "during Diwali. the ignorant ones amongst Muslims, particularly women, perform the ceremonies they celebrate it like their own Id and send presents to their daughters and sisters,. they attach much importance and weight to this season [of Diwali]. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. [116], On Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya), Hindus light a diya, ideally made of wheat flour and filled with sesame oil, that faces south in the back of their homes. About Diwali. For example, the Singaporean government, in association with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore, organises many cultural events during Diwali every year. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. Here is the schedule for Diwali 2022: Day 1: October 22, 2022 Trayodashi - Dhanteras; Day 2: October 23, 2022 Chaturdashi - Choti Diwali; Day 3: October 24, 2022 Amavasya - Diwali This is done via a bathing ritual called Abhyanga Snan. 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. It is the main day of the Diwali festival. [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. Many participate in other socio-political events as a symbol of support for diversity and inclusiveness. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. This is believed to please Yama (Yamraj), the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. Make sure you check the dates online if you plan on visiting India during Diwali. [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. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. [81], Many Hindus associate the festival with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue was founded as Secretariat for non-Christians by Pope Paul VI. Diwali this year is a close-knit family affair. The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). [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. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. It is celebrated in India and other countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji, and Mauritius. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [114][43][82] On the evening of Dhanteras, families offer prayers (puja) to Lakshmi and Ganesha, and lay offerings of puffed rice, candy toys, rice cakes and batashas (hollow sugar cakes). Diwali (Deepavali) Nov 27, 2023: Guru Nanak's Birthday: Dec 25, 2023: Christmas Day: Which are the other holidays in India? 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). 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. But when Diwali occurs in the calendar changes every year. Learn about Diwali, when it occurs, and common traditions! What makes Dev Deepawali different from Diwali? Choti Diwali is the major shopping day for festive, Annakut community meals (left), Krishna holding, A sister ritually feeding her brother on Bhai Duj-Diwali, Dhanteras, Dhanatrayodashi, Yama Deepam (Day 1), Naraka Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Chhoti Diwali, Hanuman Puja, Roop Chaudas, Yama Deepam (Day 2), Annakut, Balipratipada (Padwa), Govardhan Puja (Day 4), Bhai Duj, Bhau-Beej, Vishwakarma Puja (Day 5). 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. 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. This event is free and UCF students of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Diwali or Deepawali, known as the "festival of lights," is usually celebrated in October or November, and is on October 24 this year. 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. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. [61], Islamic historians of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire era also mentioned Diwali and other Hindu festivals. [170] National and civic leaders such as the former Prince Charles have attended Diwali celebrations at prominent Hindu temples in the UK, such as the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, using the occasion to highlight contributions of the Hindu community to British society. Diwali, which is celebrated on different dates each year as it follows the lunar calendar, will begin on October 24 this year and last for five days. Communities prepare over one hundred dishes from a variety of ingredients, which is then dedicated to Krishna before being shared among the community. Large government-sponsored festivals are held in London, Sydney, Toronto, and Edinburgh, and they are often a showcase for Indian culture, music, dance, fashion, food, crafts, and fireworks. It began sending official greetings and message to Muslims in 1967 on. [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". It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. It is commemorated on the 15th day of Kartik, the Hindu calendar's holiest month. Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. ( See calendar ). It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month (the month of Kartik) in India's calendar. [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. [48] The festivities begin two days before amvasy, on Dhanteras, and extend two days after, until the second (or 17th) day of the month of Kartik. It coincides with the new moon (amvasy) and is deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. [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. While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. The one festival in India that is celebrated above the caste & religion that is Diwali. Diwali festivities usually last for 5 days. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. The festival falls sometime between October and November. The festivities vary between different regions. This year, Diwali begins on Monday 24 October on the Gregorian calendar. Some diyas may also be set adrift on streams and river and the evening is marked with fireworks. 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). Such events are also mentioned in Sikh historical records. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. Each day has a different name and rituals. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. The fourth day has different names in different regions and typically celebrates the marital bond. iStock.com/triloks What Do People Do? In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. [143][147], The day celebrates the sibling bond between brother and sister. [79], Hindus of eastern India associate the festival with the Goddess Kali, who symbolises the victory of good over evil. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. [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. Although most important for Hindus, the festival is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. 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. For Jains, it is a time to celebrate Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the moment reached a state of enlightenment. Diwali, also known as Deepavali, falls on 4 November this 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). Diwali usually falls in October or November. [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. During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. [23] Some Hindus, Jains and Sikhs will send Diwali greeting cards to family near and far during the festive season, occasionally with boxes of Indian confectionery. [80], Per another popular tradition, in the Dvapara Yuga period, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, killed the demon Narakasura, who was the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam, and released 16000 girls held captive by Narakasura. 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. Learn Religions. [92][12], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali has transcended religious lines. The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. Corrections? It's been 11 years since we celebrated Diwali at our family homes back in India, but that will never stop us from feeling at home, celebrating traditions, and embracing it. [176], Every year during Diwali, Indian forces approach their Pakistani counterparts at the border bearing gifts of traditional Indian confectionery, a gesture that is returned in kind by the Pakistani soldiers who give Pakistani sweets to the Indian soldiers. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. This celebration lasts five days and takes place during the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartik which is considered as the most serene months according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. 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). [21][22] Many towns organise community parades and fairs with parades or music and dance performances in parks. A variety of entertainments are usually available for inhabitants of the local community to enjoy. 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. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. The women, in particular, adorn themselves in colourful attire and decorate their hands with henna. [177][s], The use of fireworks also causes an increase in the number of burn injuries in India during Diwali. [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. 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. [47][b], The five-day celebration is observed every year in early autumn after the conclusion of the summer harvest. Cook, Sharell. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book. [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.) We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. Diwali or Deepavali - "The festival of lights" is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. 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. [134], On the night of Diwali, rituals across much of India are dedicated to Lakshmi to welcome her into their cleaned homes and bring prosperity and happiness for the coming year.
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