Diwali, synchronously referred to as Deepavali or Dipavali (“Row of Lights”, in Sanskrit), is a five-day festival celebrating the Hindu New Year. This celebration has been celebrated for many centuries, dating back an estimated 2500 years! Ancient texts such as Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana have referenced this holiday. This festival is observed during the 8th month of the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika. Kartika’s placement as the 8th month of the lunisolar calendar translates into the 12 month Gregorian calendar between the months of October and November.
The most significant deities worshiped during this festival originate from the Hindu pantheon. However, Diwali is celebrated among a variety of regions, ethnic and religious groups, most significantly: Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, and Muslims. As a result of the range of religious and ethnic groups this holiday encapsulates, the names, significance, celebrations, rituals, and deity worship vary. Most popularly, the events that take place across the span of the 5 day celebration include:
Day 1 [November 10th, 2023 Trayodashi] Dhanteras → Honoring the Deities: Dhanvantri (God of Medicine and Ayurveda), Lakshmi (Goddess of Prosperity, Beauty, and Power), Lord Yamaraj (God of Death and Dharma) . Participants clean and decorate their homes, places of worship, and their job sites to invite the Divine into their homes, attracting blessings, wealth, and good fortune. Typical decorations include lit diyas (clay candle holders), torans (strings of marigolds and mango leaves), and rangoli (colorful sand, powder, or flower art). This is considered an especially auspicious day to purchase fine metals such as silverware, jewelry.
Day 2 [November 11th, 2023 Chaturdashi] Choti Diwali → Choti Diwali, also referred to as Narak Chaturdashi and Roop Chaudas , observes Lord Krishnas (God of Protection, Love, and Compassion) victory over the mythical demon king, Narakasura. On this day, people light firecrackers, exchange gifts, and take actual or symbolic oil baths as well as continuing to decorate their homes and light diyas.
Day 3 [November 12th, 2023 Amavasya] Diwali → This is the main day of the Diwali Celebrations. Folk continue their celebrations of the previous days, exchanging gifts, lighting diyas, gathering with family, feasting, creating rangoli, and worshiping and praying to their deities, most commonly the Goddess Lakshmi (Maa Laxmi, Mother Lakshmi).
Day 4 [November 13th, 2023 Pratipada] Padwa and Goverdhan Puja→ Padwa is the celebration between husband and wife, exchanging gifts and food as symbols of their love and dedication to one another. Goverdhan Puja, or the worship of the Cow, commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory against Indra (King of Gods) by moving the entirety of Mount Govardhan. Celebrators construct clay or cow-dung replicas of this event on this day.
Day 5 [November 14th, 2023 Dwitiya] Bhai Dooj → On this final day of Diwali, the unconditional bond and love between a brother and sister is celebrated. Siblings will often visit one another, pray for each other, and feast. Most commonly, sisters will pray for their brothers while their brothers vow to protect them. This day also relates to the story of Lord Yamaraj visiting his twin sister Yami.
The date of which Diwali takes place changes year to year but is generally celebrated on or near the night of the New Moon, the darkest night of the year (“amāsvasya”). This Festival of Lights takes place on the darkest night of the year to spiritually symbolize victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and ultimately, good over evil."
Resources
- Asia-Highlights, When is Diwali
- What is Diwali and how is it Celebrated
- Speakingtree, Last day of Diwali
- University of Central Florida, What is Diwali
- Royal Museum Greenwich, When is Diwali
- Time of India, All You Need to Know About Diwali