[171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. iStock.com/triloks What Do People Do? [124], As the evening approaches, celebrants will wear new clothes or their best outfits, teenage girls and women, in particular, wear saris and jewelry. This year, Diwali 2022 begins on Monday, October 24, 2022 (24/10/2022), and finishes on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (26/10/2022). This year, it begins in the first week of November from 2nd-6th. In 2022, Diwali will begin on October 22, and end on October 26. This year, Diwali will be on Thursday, Nov. 4. This year (2021), Diwali begins on Tuesday 2 November, with the peak day of celebrations happening on the third day, Thursday 4 November. Many participate in other socio-political events as a symbol of support for diversity and inclusiveness. The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs, built a well in Goindwal with eighty-four steps and invited Sikhs to bathe in its sacred waters on Baisakhi and Diwali as a form of community bonding. Monier Monier Williams (2008 updated, Harvard University), Sanskrit English dictionary, . Diwali was not a public holiday in Pakistan from 1947 to 2016. [95] According to the Jain tradition, this practice of lighting lamps first began on the day of Mahavira's nirvana in 527 BCE,[j] when 18 kings who had gathered for Mahavira's final teachings issued a proclamation that lamps be lit in remembrance of the "great light, Mahavira". This year's festival begins on Oct. 22. Diwali is known as the festival of lights in India. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24. 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). Bhalla said the dates change each year based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but typically happens in October and November. Kartik overlaps with October and November. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. In 2021, Diwali is on November 4. Diwali this year is a close-knit family affair. [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. 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. In 2022, Diwali is on Monday 24 October. These purchases are often gold and silver items or new utensils. It takes place on November 26 this year. Diwali is celebrated for five days, each with its own special significance. The inscription states that Ramachandracharya built and dedicated a drama performance hall, with a golden cupola, on Diwali. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. [177][s], The use of fireworks also causes an increase in the number of burn injuries in India during Diwali. 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. 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). Facts about Diwali 1) Diwali is an important religious festival originating in India. Today it is the "festival of lights," attached to various mythological stories, particularly tales about Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Historical records appear inconsistent about the name of the lunar month in which Diwali is observed. 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. [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. In some communities, husbands will give gifts to their wives, while in others parents with newly married children invite them and their spouses to enjoy a meal and receive gifts. Each day has a different name and rituals. Traditionally, Marathi Hindus and South Indian Hindus receive an oil massage from the elders in the family on the day and then take a ritual bath, all before sunrise. Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik. Diwali usually falls in October or November. The main festival is on Sunday, but festivities begin on Friday, a day called Dhanteras. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: msa (lunar month), paka (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. The dates change each year because they are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it typically happens in October and November. [109] Textual evidence suggests that Bengali Hindus worshipped Lakshmi before the colonial era, and that the Kali puja is a more recent phenomenon. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. [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 five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. Holi Dates: When is Holi in 2021, 2022 and 2023? [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. Diwali celebrations burst into life on the third day of the five day festival of lights, which falls between October and November with a changing date each year. Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity; light diyas, candles, and fireworks; andvisittemples. [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. [21][22] Many towns organise community parades and fairs with parades or music and dance performances in parks. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. To learn more, visit ISA's Instagram. The exact dates change each year but this year, Diwali falls on Monday 24 October. The height of Diwali is celebrated on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of Ashvin or Kartika. 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. The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew. The diyas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Kishore Purana as symbolising parts of the sun, describing it as the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life and which seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. [120] The term "chhoti" means little, while "Naraka" means hell and "Chaturdashi" means "fourteenth". Diwali 2023: 12 th of November, Sunday Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of the festival on November 3. 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. [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. Communities prepare over one hundred dishes from a variety of ingredients, which is then dedicated to Krishna before being shared among the community. 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. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. [126] Family members light up firecrackers, which some interpret as a way to ward off all evil spirits and the inauspicious, as well as add to the festive mood. When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? It is celebrated in October or November each year. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. [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. In North India the festival also celebrates the royal homecoming of Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, thus connecting the festival with the holiday of Dussehra. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." Diwali celebrates Rama's eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. [121] It is also celebrated as Roop Chaudas in some North Indian households, where women bathe before sunrise, while lighting a Diya (lamp) in the bath area, they believe it helps enhance their beauty it is a fun ritual that young girls enjoy as part of festivities. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. The word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [31][32][33] The main day of the festival of Diwali (the day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in Fiji,[34] Guyana,[35] India, Malaysia,[a][36] Mauritius, Myanmar,[37] Nepal,[38] Pakistan,[39] Singapore,[40] Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. 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". 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. [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. 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. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. Every autumn, the observance sees millions of people attend. UCF's Indian Student Association (ISA) will host Diwali event at the Hindu Society of Central Florida Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. 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). 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. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Many light diyas and keep them burning throughout the night. [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. What makes Dev Deepawali different from Diwali? They install diyas, small earthen oil-filled lamps that they light up for the next five days, near Lakshmi and Ganesha iconography. He explained that though the actual Hindu festival day is the same, it is identified differently in regional calendars because there are two traditions in the Hindu calendar. Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. Dates for 2020 to 2025." 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. ( See calendar ). Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 2022. It is usually celebrated on October or November every year. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. The Lacshmipuja dipanwita, remarked Jones, was a "great festival at night, in honour of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees and houses".[68][f]. Answer (1 of 6): Hindus do not follow date system. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) Diwali is also an important festival in Jainism. "[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. Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. 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. The fifth day, called Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. [154][155][91], Diwali marks a major shopping period in India,[31] and is comparable to the Christmas period in terms of consumer purchases and economic activity. [15][131][132] After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks) together, and then share a family feast and mithai (sweets, desserts). [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. Residents of Amritsar lit lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion. In South India the festival marks Krishnas defeat of the demon Narakasura. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. 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. The word "Deepavali" means "a row of lights" in Sanskrit, and its origins were likely as an ancient harvest festival. Furthermore, it is a celebration of the day Rama returned to his kingdom in Ayodhya with his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana after defeating the demon Ravana. [60] It is mentioned in the Ramayana that Diwali was celebrated for only 2 years in Ayodhya. . The third day is the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. The festival isn't celebrated in Kerala though. 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. It is a day in which people rid themselves of evil and everything negative. In some months, a day needs to be dropped to correlate with a shorter lunar cycle. [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". [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. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. 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. [79] The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. The legislation will come into effect next year, and Diwali will replace Anniversary Day, which is also known as Brooklyn-Queens Day, so that schools can still deliver the 180-day requirement of . Hindus celebrating Diwali in India. [173], Diwali was first celebrated in the White House by George W. Bush in 2003 and its religious and historical significance was officially recognized by the United States Congress in 2007. Diwali is observed as a Gazetted Holiday throughout the nation. Ths festival of lights, i.e. All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. [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. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. In 2019, Diwali started on October 25 as reported by The Fact. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. [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. [114], On the second day of Diwali, Hanuman Puja is performed in some parts of India especially in Gujarat. [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. Omissions? 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). Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. [143], The last day of the festival, the second day of the bright fortnight of Kartik, is called Bhai Duj (literally "brother's day"[146]), Bhau Beej, Bhai Tilak or Bhai Phonta. 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. [61], Islamic historians of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire era also mentioned Diwali and other Hindu festivals. [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. This year, Diwali or Deepavali will take place on October 24. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious festivals worldwide, it takes place every year between October and November and it commemorates the spiritual victory of light over darkness. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartik which is considered as the most serene months according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. Where does Diwali get its name? [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. For planning purposes, here are the dates for the main celebrations for Diwali for the next few years: 2019: Sunday, October 27 (starts on October 25, ends on October 29) 2020: Saturday, November 14 (November 12-16) 2021: Thursday, November 4 (November 2-6) 2022: Monday, October 24 (October 22-26) 2023: Wednesday, November 7 (November 5-9) There are many stories around the celebration of Diwali. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 24th which is a new moon day or Amavasya. Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. 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. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. * [77][78][i], The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi Devi is worshipped on this day and it is customary to purchase precious articles. [112][113], Rituals and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance, typically after the festival of Dusshera that precedes Diwali by about 20 days. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. This celebration lasts five days and takes place during the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika. Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and writes about India travel. Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" [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 name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. 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. The incredible amount of fireworks and firecrackers set off during the five days of Diwali have become an issue in many Indian cities, to the point that ambient air and noise during Diwali are considered somewhat of a health hazard. DIWALI. [168], Diwali has increasingly attracted cultural exchanges, becoming occasions for politicians and religious leaders worldwide to meet Hindu or Indian origin citizens, diplomatic staff or neighbours. Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. [43] The lamps from the puja ceremony are then used to light more earthenware lamps, which are placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses,[130] while some diyas are set adrift on rivers and streams. Amavasya Tithi on Diwali begins at. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. Calendar Of Deepavali Holidays 2022.We present you with all the dates Diwali will have from 2022 till 2040. The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. 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. People will wear their best clothes and pray to Lakshmi as lamps are lit outside homes and temples. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. 2. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. Every year on the darkest night in the northern hemisphere, millions illuminate their homes and streets to celebrate the victory of good over evil. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. [169][r], Many governments encourage or sponsor Diwali-related festivities in their territories. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) 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. The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4. Diwali (Deepavali) Nov 27, 2023: Guru Nanak's Birthday: Dec 25, 2023: Christmas Day: Which are the other holidays in India? Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. According to McDermott, while the Durga Puja is the largest Bengali festival and it can be traced to the 16th-century or earlier, the start of Kali puja tradition on Diwali is traceable to no earlier than about the mid-18th-century during the reign of Raja Krishnacandra Ray. Diwali is typically a four- or five-day event, starting two days before the new moon and extending two days afterward. Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books. The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. [50] 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. 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.
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