Diwali (or Deepavali in Sanskrit) literally means “a row of lights”. This five-day festival, which is the biggest in India, honors the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness. It celebrates the return of Lord Ram and his wife Sita to their kingdom of Ayodhya, following Ram’s and monkey god Hanuman’s defeat of demon Ravan and rescue of Sita from his evil clutches (on Dussehra).
On a personal level, Diwali is a time for introspection, to contemplate and dispel our own darkness and personal demons. Let light shine within yourself, and also shine this light outwards.
🪔 Dhanteras: The word Dhanteras comes from the Sanskrit word ‘Dhan’ (wealth) and ‘teras’ (13th day of the Krishna paksha in the Ashwin month). Goddess of Wealth – Laxmi and the treasurer of Gods – Kuber are worshipped on this day. Hindu devotees buy gold ornaments and silver utensils as it is believed to bring good luck that attracts prosperity through the year.
🪔 Chhoti Diwali: The next day after Dhanteras, is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali, which precedes the main festival of Diwali. Chhoti Diwali is also known Narak Chaturdasi. As per the legends, it is on this day, that Demon King Narakasur was beheaded by Lord Krishna’s wife – Satyabhama. Chhoti Diwali is specifically celebrated in Maharashtra and South India, where people take bath before sunrise and apply uptans and fragrances to mark victory of good over evil.
🪔 Lakshmi Puja: Although Diwali falls on Amavasya (no moon), it is considered as the most auspicious night as it marks the day Lord Rama returned home after his exile. The Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja on Diwali is elaborate and is believed to usher peace, prosperity and wealth. During the Lakshmi Pujan, five deities are worshipped together viz – Ganesha to mark the beginning of an auspicious ceremony, followed by Goddess Mahalakshmi in three forms viz MahaLakshmi (the goddess of wealth), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of learning), and Mahakali (the goddess of time and death); and Kuber (treasurer of Gods).
🪔 Govardhan Puja and Gudi Padwa: Govardhan Puja marks the day when Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokul by lifting Govardhan hill, from the ire of Devraj Indra. As per the legend, Krishna lifted the Govardhan hillock on his little finger and the people of Gokul got shelter under it. Govardhan Puja is celebrated to honor Lord Krishna with Chappan (56) Bhog, which gives it another name – Annakut Puja. At some places, this day is celebrated as Gudi Padwa. As per the customs, newly married girls are invited to their maternal homes with their husbands to offer feast and rejoice the festivity.
🪔 Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj falls on the second day after the new moon and celebrates the unconditional bond of love between a brother and sister. As per the legend, on this day, God of death – Yamraj went to visit his sister Yami, after a long period. Yami welcomed him with great zeal, prepared a hearty feast and welcomed him with a tilak on his forehead. Yamraj was so elated with his sister’s love and hospitality that he asserted, that every year, if a sister puts tilak on her brother’s forehead, then no one will be able to harm him and he’ll be protected from Yamraj. Thereby, Bhai Dooj is observed for the long life of brothers.
🌟 Diwali Festival Dates
The festival is based on the Hindu lunar calendar and takes place in October or November, depending on the cycle of the moon. In 2019, Diwali commences with Dhanteras on October 25. It concludes on October 29. The main celebrations happens on the third day (this year, on October 27). Diwali is celebrated a day early in South India, on October 26.
🌟 Where is it Celebrated?
Throughout the whole of India. However, Diwali isn’t widely celebrated in Kerala, in South India. Why not? The reason seems to simply be that the festival has never really evolved there, as it’s not part of the state’s social fabric and distinctive culture. An alternative explanation that’s offered is that Diwali is a festival of wealth for merchants, and the Hindus of Kerala have never freely engaged in trade as the state is a Communist ruled one. However, Diwali dates back to long before this.
The main festival in Kerala, which is specific to the state, is Onam.
If you’re wondering about where to best experience Diwali and what to do for the occasion, these diverse ways and places to celebrate Diwali in India will give you some inspiration.
🌟 How is it Celebrated?
Each day of the festival has a different meaning.
🌟 The first day, Dhanteras, marks the start of Diwali. It’s dedicated to celebrating wealth. People traditionally buy gold and new kitchen utensils on this day. Homes are cleaned and readied to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, inside. People also get together to play cards and gamble.
🌟 The second day is known as Naraka Chaturdasi in south India or Choti Diwali (Little Diwali) in north India. Rangoli (Hindu folk art) is created in doorways and courtyards of homes, and people start bursting crackers. Lord Krishna and Goddess Kali are believed to have destroyed the demon Narakasura and freed 16,000 captive princesses on this day. Demon effigies are widely burned in Goa in celebration.
🌟 On the third and main day, lots of small clay lamps (called diyas) and candles are lit and placed in houses. Fireworks are also let off everywhere, giving Diwali its name of “Festival of Lights”. Families gather together and perform the Lakshmi Puja, and give each other gifts and sweets. Kali Puja is usually also celebrated on this day in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam (although it sometimes falls a day earlier depending on the cycle of the moon). Goddess Kali, the fearsome Dark Mother, is worshiped for her ability to destroy the ego and illusions that go with it.
🌟 On the fourth day, merchants open fresh accounts for the new year, and offer prayers. Govardhan Puja is celebrated in north India, to commemorate Lord Krishna’s defeat of Indra, the rain god. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, the victory of Lord Vishnu over demon king Bali is celebrated as Bali Pratipada or Bali Padyami.
🌟 The fifth and last day, known as Bhai Duj, is dedicated to celebrating sisters. Brothers and sisters get together and share food, to honor the bond between them.
🌟 What Rituals are Performed?
The rituals vary according to region. However, special blessings are given to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh, the remover of obstacles. Goddess Lakshmi is believed to have been created from the churning of the ocean on the main Diwali day, and that she’ll visit every home during the Diwali period, bringing with her prosperity and good fortune. It’s said that she visits the cleanest houses first, therefore people make sure their houses are spotless before lighting lamps to invite her in. This cleaning also symbolizes purification of the mind to remove negativity, clutter and ignorance.
Small statues of the goddess are worshiped in people’s homes.
🌟 What to Expect During the Festival
Diwali is a family-orientated festival. The lights makes it a very warm and atmospheric occasion and it’s observed with much joy and happiness. However, be prepared for lots of loud noise from the fireworks and firecrackers going off. The air also becomes filled with smoke from the firecrackers, which can add to breathing difficulties.
If you’re visiting India around the time of Diwali, do be aware that this is a peak travel time for Indians, not only during the festival but for a couple of weeks afterwards (due to Diwali school holidays). Trains will be heavily booked and popular destinations will be crowded.
🌟 Safety Information
It’s a good idea to protect your hearing with ear plugs during Diwali, especially if your ears are sensitive. Some crackers are extremely loud, and sound more like explosions. The noise is very damaging to hearing. If you’re in Delhi around the time of Diwali, you may also want to consider wearing a mask as pollution has skyrocketed to unsafe levels in recent years.
