The first day, November 2, is Dhanteras. Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is the new moon day of the first month of the lunar year. Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. Each day has a special significance as follows. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair and of knowledge over ignorance. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. Dates for 2020 to 2025." Das, Subhamoy. During the festival, Hindus, Jains and Sikhs illuminate their homes, temples and workspaces with diyas (oil lamps), candles and lanterns[16] Hindus, in particular, have a ritual oil bath at dawn on each day of the festival. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. Some diyas may also be set adrift on streams and river and the evening is marked with fireworks. [m] Contemporary Bengali celebrations mirror those found elsewhere, with teenage boys playing with fireworks and the sharing of festive food with family, but with the Shakti goddess Kali as the focus. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Such events are also mentioned in Sikh historical records. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. [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". The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). This year, it begins in the first week of November from 2nd-6th. [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. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. According to Pintchman, in some Hindu traditions the women recite tales where sisters protect their brothers from enemies that seek to cause him either bodily or spiritual harm. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. [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. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. "[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. However, in South India, the festival is observed as the defeat of Narakasura. More Topics The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. [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. [139], The celebrations and rituals of the Jains and the Sikhs are similar to those of the Hindus where social and community bonds are renewed. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. . [143][147], The day celebrates the sibling bond between brother and sister. [79] The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. Spiritually, Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. "Deepawali" and "Dipawali" redirect here. But when Diwali occurs in the calendar changes every year. Also known as the 'festival of lights', the celebration usually lasts for five days. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. It's a celebration that takes place 15 days after Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution). Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. [9][10][11] It is a post-harvest festival celebrating the bounty following the arrival of the monsoon in the subcontinent.[12]. 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). In India, the holiday always falls on the 15th of Kartik, the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar . Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? [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. ", Christopher H. Johnson, Simon Teuscher & David Warren Sabean 2011, India Journal: Tis the Season to be Shopping, Pakistan parliament adopts resolution for Holi, Diwali, Easter holidays, "The Svanti Festival: Victory over Death and the Renewal of the Ritual Cycle in Nepal", "Diwali Festival 2020 India:Date,Story,Celebration,Diwali Special Gift", "Krishna Killed Narakasur - The Narakasur Legend of Diwali - Diwali Legend", Diwali Celebrating the triumph of goodness, "2020 Yama Deepam date and timings for New Delhi, NCT, India", "The 'Yam-deep' or 'Jam ke Deeya' SWAHA International", "Significance of Yama Deepam on Diwali Eve", "Choti Diwali 2020 date: Kali Chaudas significance, when and how to celebrate", "2020 Hanuman Puja date and time during Diwali for New Delhi, NCT, India", If You Missed Diwali in India, Dallas Is the Place to Be, Manchester Dashehra and Diwali Mela plans announced, Festive season to boost India gold buying, India's banks face pre-Diwali cash crunch, Diwali lights up consumer spending, festive spirit beats inflation, Fear Of Toxic Smog Leads India To Limit Diwali Fireworks, Firework Facts: Americans Incinerate $1 Billion in July Fourth Fireworks Every Year, Oneline sales may surpass Rs 30000 crores in festive months, Average family to spend Rs. 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. It also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. [114], According to Tracy Pintchman, Dhanteras is a symbol of annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year. [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. [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. As an auspicious occasion, many Hindus will make big purchases as it's believed that this will bring good luck. Diwali or Deepavali, also known as the "Festival of Lights," is the biggest festival in theHindu calendar, celebrated in early fall of each year. What makes Dev Deepawali different from 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. [167] In 2020, the INDF ETF was launched to mark the start of Diwali. The meaning of Diwaliand its many legends Diwali is so widely. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. According to a Government of Himachal Pradesh and India publication, the Vishvakarma puja is observed on the fourth day of Diwali in the Himalayan state. Some suggest he lived in the 5th-century BCE contemporaneously with the Buddha. ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. Because the festival of Diwali is celebrated according to the lunar calendar, the dates are different each year. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. iStock.com/triloks What Do People Do? [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. This festival gets its name from "Deepa" meaning "Light" and "Avali" meaning "Row". Every autumn, the observance sees millions of people attend. Some Hindu communities mark the last day as Bhai Dooj or the regional equivalent, which is dedicated to the bond between sister and brother,[111] while other Hindu and Sikh craftsmen communities mark this day as Vishwakarma Puja and observe it by performing maintenance in their work spaces and offering prayers. It's celebrated across five days with the day of Diwali observed on the new moon or Amavasya. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). It is believed that spirits roam around on the night of Kali Chaudas, and Hanuman, who is the deity of strength, power, and protection, is worshipped to seek protection from the spirits. October 18, 2019 By Simran Jeet Singh (RNS) With more than a billion people celebrating Diwali every year, the festival is one of the largest and most significant religious observances. 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). One tradition starts a new month from the new moon, while the other starts it from the full moon. [171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. Cook, Sharell. Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. For some Hindus, it is a day to pray for the peace to the manes, or defiled souls of one's ancestors and light their way for their journeys in the cyclic afterlife. Learn about Diwali, when it occurs, and common traditions! [107] According to some observers, this traditional celebration by Newar Buddhists in Nepal, through the worship of Lakshmi and Vishnu during Diwali, is not syncretism but rather a reflection of the freedom within Mahayana Buddhist tradition to worship any deity for their worldly betterment.[29]. Amavasya Tithi on Diwali begins at. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Diwali-Hindu-festival, Diwali - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Diwali - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). [73] According to Lorenz Franz Kielhorn, a German Indologist known for translating many Indic inscriptions, this festival is mentioned as Dipotsavam in verses 6 and 7 of the Ranganatha temple Sanskrit inscription of the 13th-century Kerala Hindu king Ravivarman Samgramadhira. Many light diyas and keep them burning throughout the night. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. 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. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. On the eve of his first visit to India as President of the United States, Obama released an official statement sharing his best wishes with "those celebrating Diwali". [121] The day and its rituals are interpreted as ways to liberate any souls from their suffering in "Naraka", or hell, as well as a reminder of spiritual auspiciousness. The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. Diwali is observed as a Gazetted Holiday throughout the nation. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. Find out all about the history, traditions and significance of Diwali in this blogpost. Where does Diwali get its name? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [156] It is traditionally a time when households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, gold, jewelry,[157][158] and other large purchases particularly as the festival is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and such purchases are considered auspicious. Diwali is one of the most revered and a pious festival deeply entrenched in Hindu culture. 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. Diwali Dates Detailed Information This begins with the first day known as "Dhanteras' or the worship of wealth. Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. Lasting over five days, the holiday is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. [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). Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. According to Truschke, Aurangzeb did so because he found the festivals "distasteful" and also from "concerns with public safety" lurking in the background. [137][138] According to Pintchman, who quotes Raghavan, this ritual may also be linked to the tradition in some communities of paying respect to ancestors. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Dates for 2020 to 2025. The festival isn't celebrated in Kerala though. Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. 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). The height of Diwali is celebrated on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of Ashvin or Kartika. On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity; light diyas, candles, and fireworks; andvisittemples. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: msa (lunar month), paka (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). This year, Diwali falls at the start of November beginning with Dhanteras on November 2. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangoli, consisting of elaborate designs made of colouredrice, sand, or flower petals. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. However, the focus of the Jain Diwali remains the dedication to Mahavira. [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. We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. [112] [o] The looms, tools of trade, machines and workplaces are cleaned and prayers offered to these livelihood means. Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi Devi is worshipped on this day and it is customary to purchase precious articles. The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. [83][84][85] Hindus from the Braj region in northern India, parts of Assam, as well as southern Tamil and Telugu communities view Diwali as the day the god Krishna overcame and destroyed the evil demon king Narakasura, in yet another symbolic victory of knowledge and good over ignorance and evil. [56][57] Rajasekhara referred to Deepavali as Dipamalika in his 9th-century Kavyamimamsa, wherein he mentions the tradition of homes being whitewashed and oil lamps decorated homes, streets and markets in the night. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. It is determined by the Indian calendar and the dates of celebration change every year. This year (2021), Diwali begins on Tuesday 2 November, with the peak day of celebrations happening on the third day, Thursday 4 November. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of the festival on November 3. It's associated with Lord Ram's return to his kingdom in Ayodhya after exile and rescuing his wife from demon king Ravan on Dussehra. The Lacshmipuja dipanwita, remarked Jones, was a "great festival at night, in honour of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees and houses".[68][f]. Diwali is usually celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami festival, with Dhanteras, or the regional equivalent, marking the first day of the festival when celebrants prepare by cleaning their homes and making decorations on the floor, such as rangolis. (2021, September 4). Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. It is an official holiday in a dozen countries, while the other festive days are regionally observed as either public or optional restricted holidays in India. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. . 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. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. * Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. In South India the festival marks Krishnas defeat of the demon Narakasura. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. A variety of entertainments are usually available for inhabitants of the local community to enjoy. As the term "Festival of Lights" suggests, the celebration involves millions of lights illuminated from rooftops, doorways, and windows in thousands of temples and buildings all over the countries where the festival is observed. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? Diwali will become a public school holiday in New York City starting next year, Mayor Eric Adams (D) announced Thursday.. Why it matters: Diwali, a celebration of light over darkness that starts on Oct. 24 this year, is one of the most sacred holidays observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. Firecrackers also cause light pollution. [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. Diwali festivities usually last for 5 days. [114], On the second day of Diwali, Hanuman Puja is performed in some parts of India especially in Gujarat. Each day has the following rituals and significance:[43], Dhanteras, derived from Dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning thirteenth, marks the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik and the beginning of Diwali in most parts of India. The 5 days of Diwali Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. In his 11th-century memoir on India, the Persian traveler and historian Al Biruni wrote of Deepavali being celebrated by Hindus on the day of the New Moon in the month of Kartika. To learn more, visit ISA's Instagram. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. [60] It is mentioned in the Ramayana that Diwali was celebrated for only 2 years in Ayodhya. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. The second day is devoted to Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Edward Reddcliff Das, Subhamoy. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. 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). 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. [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. About Diwali. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. It's a one-day celebration, known as Deepavali, that usually falls a day before the main Diwali date but sometimes occurs on the same day (when the lunar days overlap). Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. Naraka Chaturdashi, also known as Chhoti Diwali, is the second day of festivities coinciding with the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik.
when is diwali every year
- Published in open air artisans fairs in chile