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. [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). [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". [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. Diwali Is a Festival of Sweet Delights - Food & Wine [13][14][15][16] The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi,[17][18] goddess of prosperity and Ganesha, god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles, with many other regional traditions connecting the holiday to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Shiva, Kali, Hanuman, Kubera, Yama, Yami, Dhanvantari, or Vishvakarman. [12] Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, business associates and relatives, and exchanging gifts. Some 200,000 New Yorkers celebrate Diwali each year, per state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar . 10 fabulous facts about Diwali! - National Geographic Kids [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. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. Diwali celebrates Rama's eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. This year, Diwali falls at the start of November beginning with Dhanteras on November 2. The festivals and . It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. The date of Deepavali on the new moon makes it the darkest night in the month of Kartik, when the nights are cold, long, and dark: all the lights make that darkness easier to bear. [171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. [116] On this day, many Hindus clean their homes and business premises. The fourth day has different names in different regions and typically celebrates the marital bond. Every autumn, the observance sees millions of people attend. This year's festival begins on Oct. 22. People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. One of the earliest reports on this variation was by Wilson in 1847. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. This year, Diwali will be on Thursday, Nov. 4. 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). Learn Religions. 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. The dates of Diwali change every year, though the five day festival generally falls between late October and early November. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. 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. Diwali 2022: When is the festival of lights and how is it celebrated The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. Das, Subhamoy. 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. [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. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew. It coincides with the new moon (amvasy) and is deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. The exact dates change each year because it follows the lunar calendar, but it is typically celebrated in October or November over a 5-day span: On day. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. [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. Shiva surrenders his shirt and adornments to her, rendering him naked. The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4. Diwali: Hindu Festival of Lights | Live Science As an auspicious occasion, many Hindus will make big purchases as it's believed that this will bring good luck. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. The Prayer Hymn (Aarti) for the Hindu Diwali Celebration, Hindu Calendar: Days, Months, Years and Epochs, The Real Reason for the Hindu Raksha Bandhan Celebration, History and Significance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, Reasons to Celebrate Diwali the Festival of Lights, Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 20202025, The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati, A Guide to the 6 Seasons of the Hindu Calendar, A Guide to Lohri, The Hindu Winter Bonfire Festival, Evaluating Population Exposure to Environmental Pollutants During Deepavali Fireworks Displays Using Air Quality Measurements of the Safar Network, Whose Diwali Is It? Diwali always falls some time between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon. The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. Diwali Diwali (or Deepawali, Deepavali) is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated in autumn every year. These purchases are often gold and silver items or new utensils. 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In Sri Lanka and. What Is Diwali? Here's What to Know About the Holiday It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . Diwali 2023 dates | When Is Diwali/ Deepawali in 2023? Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. The five days are as follows:. Diwali is an important festival in Jainism. It is observed by the Vajrayana Buddhist minority among the Newarpeople of Nepal. It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. Cook, Sharell. It is celebrated in India and other countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji, and Mauritius. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. Major temples and homes are decorated with lights, festive foods shared with all, friends and relatives remembered and visited with gifts. 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. [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. 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. 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 . In 2019, Diwali started on October 25 as reported by The Fact. [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. Diwali Dates Detailed Information Unlike some other festivals, the Hindus typically do not fast during the five-day long Diwali including Lakshmi Pujan, rather they feast and share the bounties of the season at their workplaces, community centres, temples, and homes. Historical records appear inconsistent about the name of the lunar month in which Diwali is observed. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. Forget bitterness. The word "Deepavali" means "a row of lights" in Sanskrit, and its origins were likely as an ancient harvest festival. [80], Per another popular tradition, in the Dvapara Yuga period, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, killed the demon Narakasura, who was the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam, and released 16000 girls held captive by Narakasura. 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. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. Kartik overlaps with October and November. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success. More Topics [41], Diwali (English: /dwli/)[9] or Divali[44] is from the Sanskrit dpvali meaning "row or series of lights". He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults. The festival typically lasts for four to five days and coincides with the new moon on the Hindu lunisolar calendar,. [56], Diwali was also described by numerous travelers from outside India. Diwali/Deepavali - Time and Date When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023? 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. A 2017 estimate states 50,000 tons (100million pounds) of fireworks are exploded annually in India over the Diwali festival. . Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartika and, much like Easter, the date changes every year. It takes place on November 26 this year. Calendar Of Deepavali Holidays 2022.We present you with all the dates Diwali will have from 2022 till 2040. Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. DEV DEEPAWALI - November 26, 2023 - National Today Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Das, Subhamoy. [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. What is Diwali and how do Australian communities celebrate it? Diwali is India's most important holidayand a - History Lakshmi is the focus of worship on that day. [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. Diwali 2022 - The Festival of Lights - Sadhguru [161] Other goods that are bought in substantial quantities during Diwali include confectionery and fireworks. [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. It began sending official greetings and message to Muslims in 1967 on. Sanskrit inscriptions in stone and copper mentioning Diwali, occasionally alongside terms such as Dipotsava, Dipavali, Divali and Divalige, have been discovered at numerous sites across India. It . To learn more, visit ISA's Instagram. Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. What is Diwali? All About the 2022 Festival of Lights The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. "When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. When is Diwali 2021? Start date of Hindu festival of lights - mirror ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. [49] (According to Indologist Constance Jones, this night ends the lunar month of Ashwin and starts the month of Kartik[50] but see this note[c] and Amanta and Purnima systems.) Learn Religions. DIWALI. (2021, October 12). [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 24th which is a new moon day or Amavasya. 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. * This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. . The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. 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. Many light diyas and keep them burning throughout the night. Most of the injuries sustained are Group I type burns (minor) requiring only outpatient care. This is why dates change every year. The five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. 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. The one festival in India that is celebrated above the caste & religion that is Diwali.