Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major festival for millions of people of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths. It is celebrated over five days in late October or early November, with the main day falling on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

Diwali is best known as the festival of lights, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and the start of new beginnings. It is a time of joy, gratitude, generosity and spirituality, as well as a chance for family and friends to come together.

What does Diwali celebrate?

Diwali has different meanings and origins for different religions, but the common theme is the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.

• For many Hindus, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana to their kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. During their exile, Rama defeated the demon king Ravana, who had abducted Sita. The people of Ayodhya welcomed them back by lighting rows of lamps and bursting firecrackers. Diwali also coincides with the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new financial year for some businesses. Hindus worship various gods and goddesses during Diwali, especially Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity1.

• For Sikhs, Diwali is known as Bandi Chhor Divas, which means “the day of liberation”. It commemorates the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Singh, and 52 other princes from the prison of the Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1619. The guru arrived in Amritsar on the day of Diwali, where he was greeted by thousands of people who lit lamps and candles in his honor. Sikhs also celebrate the foundation of the Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of Sikhism, on this day2.

• For Jains, Diwali is the day when Lord Mahavira, the 24th and last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher) of Jainism, attained nirvana, or liberation from the cycle of birth and death, in 527 BCE. Jains observe a two-day fast, light lamps and candles, and recite the sacred scriptures of Jainism. They also perform acts of charity and kindness to honor Mahavira’s teachings3.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated across five days, with each day having its own significance and rituals. The dates and names of the days may vary slightly according to the lunar calendar and regional traditions, but the general sequence is as follows:

• Day 1: Dhanteras. This day is dedicated to Dhanvantari, the god of health and medicine, and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune. People clean their homes, decorate them with rangolis (colorful patterns made of rice, flour, sand or flowers), and shop for gold, silver, jewelry, utensils and other items. They also light diyas (clay lamps) and candles in and around their homes to invite Lakshmi’s blessings4.

• Day 2: Naraka Chaturdashi or Chhoti Diwali. This day marks the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna, one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu. People wake up early, take a bath with oil and fragrant herbs, wear new clothes and apply kumkum (red powder) on their foreheads. They also light diyas and candles, burst firecrackers and exchange sweets and gifts with their neighbors and relatives5.

• Day 3: Diwali or Lakshmi Puja. This is the main day of the festival, when Lakshmi is worshipped along with Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success, and Saraswati, the goddess of learning and arts. People perform puja (prayer ceremony) in their homes or temples, offering flowers, fruits, sweets and money to the deities. They also light diyas and candles, burst firecrackers and enjoy a feast with their family and friends. Some communities also celebrate the coronation of Lord Rama on this day6.

• Day 4: Padwa or Govardhan Puja. This day is celebrated as the first day of the new year in some regions, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan. It is also the day when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Indra, the god of rain and thunder. People make a mountain of cow dung or mud, decorate it with flowers and offer prayers to it. They also visit their elders and seek their blessings, and exchange gifts and greetings with their loved ones.

• Day 5: Bhai Dooj or Bhaiya Dooj. This day is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters apply a tilak (a mark) on their brothers’ foreheads, pray for their well-being and longevity, and give them gifts. Brothers in turn promise to protect and support their sisters, and give them gifts. This ritual is similar to Raksha Bandhan, another festival that celebrates the sibling relationship.

How is Diwali celebrated around the world?

Diwali is not only celebrated in India, but also in many other countries where there are significant populations of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and other communities that observe the festival. Some of the countries where Diwali is celebrated include:

• Nepal: Diwali is known as Tihar or Swanti in Nepal, and is celebrated for five days. The first day is dedicated to crows, the second to dogs, the third to cows, the fourth to oxen and the fifth to brothers. People offer food, garlands and vermilion to these animals, and light lamps and candles in their honor. They also play cards, sing and dance, and worship Lakshmi and other gods and goddesses.

• Sri Lanka: Diwali is known as Deepavali in Sri Lanka, and is celebrated for three days. The first day is dedicated to cleaning and decorating the homes, the second to lighting lamps and candles, and the third to visiting temples and exchanging gifts. People also wear new clothes, eat sweets and burst firecrackers.

• Malaysia: Diwali is known as Hari Deepavali in Malaysia, and is celebrated for one day. It is a public holiday in the country, and people of all religions and ethnicities join in the festivities. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and friends, and enjoy a variety of food and entertainment.

• Singapore: Diwali is known as Deepavali in Singapore, and is celebrated for one day. It is a public holiday in the country, and people of all races and religions participate in the celebrations. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and relatives, and enjoy a range of cultural and artistic activities. The Little India district is especially vibrant and colorful during this time, with street decorations, bazaars, concerts and performances.

• United Kingdom: Diwali is celebrated by the large and diverse British Asian community, as well as by people of other backgrounds and faiths. It is not a public holiday in the country, but many events and activities are organized to mark the occasion. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and friends, and enjoy music, dance, food and fireworks. Some of the major cities that host Diwali celebrations include London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh.

• United States: Diwali is celebrated by the growing and diverse Indian American community, as well as by people of other origins and beliefs. It is not a public holiday in the country, but many events and programs are held to commemorate the festival. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and friends, and enjoy music, dance, food and fireworks. Some of the places that host Diwali celebrations include New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

• Australia: Diwali is celebrated by the large and varied Indian Australian community, as well as by people of other cultures and religions. It is not a public holiday in the country, but many events and initiatives are undertaken to celebrate the festival. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and friends, and enjoy music, dance, food and fireworks. Some of the cities that host Diwali celebrations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

• Canada: Diwali is celebrated by the sizable and diverse Indo Canadian community, as well as by people of other backgrounds and faiths. It is not a public holiday in the country, but many events and activities are organized to honor the festival. People clean and decorate their homes, light lamps and candles, perform prayers, visit temples and friends, and enjoy music, dance, food and fireworks. Some of the places that host Diwali celebrations include Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Ottawa and Calgary.

Conclusion

Diwali is a festival that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, the victory of good over evil, and the start of new beginnings. It is a time of joy, gratitude, generosity and spirituality, as well as a chance for family and friends to come together. Diwali is celebrated by millions of people of different religions and cultures around the world.