Each day of Diwali is marked differently. Corrections? [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. On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. However, the focus of the Jain Diwali remains the dedication to Mahavira. Every autumn, the observance sees millions of people attend. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It is traditionally a puja, or a celebration that worships, honors, and shows devotion to the divine. The fifth day, called Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. Hindu temples on this day prepare and present "mountains of sweets" to the faithful who have gathered for darshan (visit). ", Christopher H. 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A diya that is filled with sesame oil is lit at back of their homes facing in the southern direction. Naraka Chaturdashi is the second day of the festival on November 3. Kartik overlaps with October and November. Hindus celebrating Diwali in India. [116], On Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya), Hindus light a diya, ideally made of wheat flour and filled with sesame oil, that faces south in the back of their homes. Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books. [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. [101] According to J.S. The second day, called NarakaChaturdashiorChotiDiwali, commemorates Krishnas destruction of Narakasura; prayers are also offered for the souls of ancestors. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. According to Audrey Truschke, the Sunni Muslim emperor Aurangzeb did limit "public observation" of many religious holidays such as Hindu Diwali and Holi, but also of Shia observance of Muharram and the Persian holiday of Nauruz. [12][114] Families also prepare homemade delicacies for Lakshmi Pujan, regarded as the main day of Diwali. Diwali is typically a four- or five-day event, starting two days before the new moon and extending two days afterward. [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. Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. Dates for 2020 to 2025." 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). Some Muslims joined the Hindu community in celebrating Diwali in the Mughal era. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. One particular firework called anar (fountain) has been found to be responsible for 65% of such injuries, with adults being the typical victims. Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century bce. When is Navaratri in 2021, 2022, and 2023? It's been 11 years since we celebrated Diwali at our family homes back in India, but that will never stop us from feeling at home, celebrating traditions, and embracing it. Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. Lakshmi is the focus of worship on that day. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24. Dates for 2020 to 2025. For example, the Singaporean government, in association with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore, organises many cultural events during Diwali every year. This is followed by Choti Diwali the next day and Diwali on November 4. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. "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". Diwali is celebrated every year in either October or November, based on the lunar cycle. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. [114], According to Tracy Pintchman, Dhanteras is a symbol of annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year. Diwali or Deepavali - "The festival of lights" is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. [183] These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put people's health at stake. [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. 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 celebrated over five days in most of North India. Learn Religions. Part of the inscription, as translated by Kielhorn, reads: "the auspicious festival of lights which disperses the most profound darkness, which in former days was celebrated by the kings Ila, Kartavirya and Sagara, () as Sakra (Indra) is of the gods, the universal monarch who knows the duties by the three Vedas, afterwards celebrated here at Ranga for Vishnu, resplendent with Lakshmi resting on his radiant lap. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. The first day, November 2, is Dhanteras. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. [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. [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. Ths festival of lights, i.e. People often think of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains . Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna. Some diyas may also be set adrift on streams and river and the evening is marked with fireworks. [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. 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. [124] Many visit their favourite Hindu temple. People will wear their best clothes and pray to Lakshmi as lamps are lit outside homes and temples. amnta / primnta. To produce colors when crackers are burst, carcinogenic and poisonous elements are used. [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. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. 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. Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. Cook, Sharell. Because Diwali is such a meaningful celebration, festivities are often planned years in advance. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month (the month of Kartik) in India's calendar. Also known as the 'festival of lights', the celebration usually lasts for five days. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on 19th October (Sunday). 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. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. [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. [64][65][d][e], Publications from the British colonial era also made mention of Diwali, such as the note on Hindu festivals published in 1799 by Sir William Jones, a philologist known for his early observations on Sanskrit and Indo-European languages. In India, while everyone celebrates Deepavali, people don't amass in public, but rather in small groups with their friends and families in homes, neighborhoods, and local temple communities. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. [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. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. [68] In his paper on The Lunar Year of the Hindus, Jones, then based in Bengal, noted four of the five days of Diwali in the autumn months of Aswina-Cartica [sic] as the following: Bhutachaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd day), Lacshmipuja dipanwita (the day of Diwali), Dyuta pratipat Belipuja (4th day), and Bhratri dwitiya (5th day). [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 legend is remembered through the ritual of building small mountain-like miniatures from cow dung. Diwali 2023: 12 th of November, Sunday In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. [53][54], The five-day long festival originated in the Indian subcontinent and is likely a fusion of harvest festivals in ancient India. [29][30] Newar Buddhists in Nepalese valleys also celebrate the Diwali festival over five days, in much the same way, and on the same days, as the Nepalese Hindu Diwali-Tihar festival. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book. These clay lamps represent "the inner light that protects each household from spiritual darkness." While each day of Diwali has its own importance, on the third day of Diwali, this year on Oct. 24, people gather at temples to honor the goddess Lakshmi. The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. In 2013, about 25 billion (US$310million) of fireworks were sold to merchants for the Diwali season, an equivalent retail value of about 50 billion (US$630million) according to The Times of India. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. [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. 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. One tradition starts a new month from the new moon, while the other starts it from the full moon. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. Illustrative Islamic records, states Stephen Blake, include those of 16th-century Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi who wrote, "during Diwali. the ignorant ones amongst Muslims, particularly women, perform the ceremonies they celebrate it like their own Id and send presents to their daughters and sisters,. they attach much importance and weight to this season [of Diwali]. The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. [77][78][i], The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. The festivals and . Ubtan is applied by the women which is made up of special gram flour mixed with herbs for cleansing and beautifying themselves. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) Typically the holiday falls in October or November, as it's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holy month of the Hindu lunar calendar . Diwali usually falls in October or November. Such events are also mentioned in Sikh historical records. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. Diwali Dates Detailed Information This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 2022. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. The meaning of Diwaliand its many legends Diwali is so widely. This year, celebrations began on Saturday, with the "main Diwali " falling today, Monday October 24, which marks the . 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) The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4.. While different historical events are observed in different regions and by different faiths, Diwali represents the triumph of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance for all the cultures that celebrate it. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. 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). Diwali 2021: What the holiday . 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). Diwali, for Vasavada, would always culminate in a large family feast with enough food to feed a small town. It is celebrated in India and other countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji, and Mauritius. Holi Dates: When is Holi in 2021, 2022 and 2023? The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. The celebration of Diwali aligns with the new moon, so it's celebrated on a different day each year. UCF's Indian Student Association (ISA) will host Diwali event at the Hindu Society of Central Florida Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. [143] In Gujarat, Annakut is the first day of the new year and celebrated through the purchase of essentials, or sabras (literally, "good things in life"), such as salt, offering prayers to Krishna and visiting temples. 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. [9][10][11] It is a post-harvest festival celebrating the bounty following the arrival of the monsoon in the subcontinent.[12]. Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. [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. Diwali/Deepavali is a public holiday. Sometimes these are wrapped with edible silver foil (vark). The festivities vary between different regions. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . It is a day in which people rid themselves of evil and everything negative. 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. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. The first day of Diwali is called Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanwantari Triodasi also called Dhan Theras. These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. Dates for 2020 to 2025." Updates? [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. [117] Some Hindus observe Yama Deepa on the second night before the main day of Diwali.[118][119]. [56], Diwali was also described by numerous travelers from outside India. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair and of knowledge over ignorance. 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, Diwali falls at the start of November beginning with Dhanteras on November 2. The dates change each year because they are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it typically happens in October and November. [108] During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with saaki (earthen lamp), diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth,[l] light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared. Find out all about the history, traditions and significance of Diwali in this blogpost. 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. The common celebratory practices are known as the festival of light, however there are minor differences from state to state in India. 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. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. It's celebrated across five days with the day of Diwali observed on the new moon or Amavasya. [114], On the second day of Diwali, Hanuman Puja is performed in some parts of India especially in Gujarat. The one festival in India that is celebrated above the caste & religion that is Diwali. Make sure you check the dates online if you plan on visiting India during Diwali. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. 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. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. 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). About Diwali. [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. (2021, September 4). [174][175] Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? [41], Diwali (English: /dwli/)[9] or Divali[44] is from the Sanskrit dpvali meaning "row or series of lights". Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 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). We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. [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. 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. [165] About two-thirds of Indian households, according to the ASSOCHAM forecast, would spend between 5,000 (US$63) and 10,000 (US$130) to celebrate Diwali in 2017. The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . Spread joy. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. It's a celebration that takes place 15 days after Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. [169][r], Many governments encourage or sponsor Diwali-related festivities in their territories. Every year on the darkest night in the northern hemisphere, millions illuminate their homes and streets to celebrate the victory of good over evil. 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 for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. What is Diwali? [43][55], Emperor Harsha refers to Deepavali, in the 7th-century Sanskrit play Nagananda, as Dpapratipadotsava (dpa = light, pratipad = first day, utsava = festival), where lamps were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms received gifts.