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]. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. It's a celebration that takes place 15 days after Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. 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). Monier Monier Williams (2008 updated, Harvard University), Sanskrit English dictionary, . 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. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. In South India the festival marks Krishnas defeat of the demon Narakasura. This is done via a bathing ritual called Abhyanga Snan. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . (2021, September 4). [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. Deepavali means a row of lights, where 'deep' means light and 'avali' means row. Forget bitterness. Das, Subhamoy. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. 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. Firecrackers also cause light pollution. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Corrections? It . [116][114] Women and children decorate doorways within homes and offices with rangolis, colourful designs made from rice flour, flower petals, colored rice or colored sand,[23] while the boys and men decorate the roofs and walls of family homes, markets, and temples and string up lights and lanterns. [9][10][11] It is a post-harvest festival celebrating the bounty following the arrival of the monsoon in the subcontinent.[12]. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. Diwali is also an important festival in Jainism. 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 duration will be 1 hour 56 minutes. 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. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. 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. Every year it is celebrated on the darkest night of the Hindu month Kartika. What makes Dev Deepawali different from Diwali? [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. [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". 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. The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. Jean Mead, How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, "2022 Diwali Puja Calendar, Deepavali Puja Calendar for New Delhi, NCT, India", "Diwali 2020 Date in India: When is Diwali in 2020? [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. [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. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. Diwali festivities usually last for 5 days. The names and events of the individual days of Diwali are as follows: The first day, known as Dhanteras, is dedicated to cleaning homes and purchasing small items of gold. [77][78][i], The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. The dates of Diwali change every year, though the five day festival generally falls between late October and early November. [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. Facts about Diwali 1) Diwali is an important religious festival originating in India. Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. 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. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426 (accessed March 4, 2023). Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. The festival climax is on the third day and is called the main Diwali. Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobinds return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalior, an echo of Lord Ramas return to Ayodhya. Because Diwali is such a meaningful celebration, festivities are often planned years in advance. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". It is determined by the Indian calendar and the dates of celebration change every year. The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. Learn Religions, Oct. 12, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. [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. Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. This year (2021), Diwali begins on Tuesday 2 November, with the peak day of celebrations happening on the third day, Thursday 4 November. A 2017 estimate states 50,000 tons (100million pounds) of fireworks are exploded annually in India over the Diwali festival. This year, Diwali begins on Monday 24 October on the Gregorian calendar. This year, Diwali falls at the start of November beginning with Dhanteras on November 2. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. [167] In 2020, the INDF ETF was launched to mark the start of Diwali. Learn Religions. 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. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on 19th October (Sunday). [124], As the evening approaches, celebrants will wear new clothes or their best outfits, teenage girls and women, in particular, wear saris and jewelry. Dates for 2020 to 2025. The Jain Diwali celebrated in many parts of India has similar practices to the Hindu Diwali, such as the lighting of lamps and the offering of prayers to Lakshmi. [43], The artisan Hindu and Sikh community celebrates the fourth day as the Vishwakarma puja day. Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? 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. Cook, Sharell. [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.
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