DIWALI. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. Make sure you check the dates online if you plan on visiting India during Diwali. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. Dates for 2020 to 2025. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: msa (lunar month), paka (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. [79] The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" Holi Dates: When is Holi in 2021, 2022 and 2023? [19] Diwali is also marked with fireworks and the decoration of floors with rangoli designs, and other parts of the house with jhalars. Residents of Amritsar lit lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion. The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. It is traditionally a puja, or a celebration that worships, honors, and shows devotion to the divine. [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. [137][138] According to Pintchman, who quotes Raghavan, this ritual may also be linked to the tradition in some communities of paying respect to ancestors. 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. Gambling, especially in the form of card games, is encouraged as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year and in remembrance of the games of dice played by Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailasa or similar contests between Radha and Krishna. [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. In 2022, Diwali will begin on October 22, and end on October 26. Diwali is celebrated over five days in most of North India. Lasting over five days, the holiday is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. [114][43][82] On the evening of Dhanteras, families offer prayers (puja) to Lakshmi and Ganesha, and lay offerings of puffed rice, candy toys, rice cakes and batashas (hollow sugar cakes). It's believed that on this day the Goddess Lakshmi, often associated with wealth, abundance and good fortune, visits people's homes and fulfils their desires. [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. What are the 5 Diwali Days in 2022? (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) [186], (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". [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.) 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]. [50] It is mentioned in mentioned in early Sanskrit texts, such as the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, both of which were completed in the second half of the 1st millennium CE. [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. According to Truschke, Aurangzeb did so because he found the festivals "distasteful" and also from "concerns with public safety" lurking in the background. A variety of entertainments are usually available for inhabitants of the local community to enjoy. [166] Stock markets like NSE and BSE in India are typically closed during Diwali, with the exception of a Diwali Muhurat trading session for an hour in the evening to coincide with the beginning of the new year. 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. Sikhs historically referred to this festival as Diwali. Spread joy. Diwali is also known as the 'Festival of Light' because it is celebrated using lights, fireworks and lanterns in private homes and public places. [56], Diwali was also described by numerous travelers from outside India. [159][160] According to Rao, Diwali is one of the major festivals where rural Indians spend a significant portion of their annual income, and is a means for them to renew their relationships and social networks. [101] According to J.S. There are many stories around the celebration of Diwali. Subhadra welcomes him with a tilaka on his forehead. 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. [117] Some Hindus observe Yama Deepa on the second night before the main day of Diwali.[118][119]. Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik. [47][b], The five-day celebration is observed every year in early autumn after the conclusion of the summer harvest. Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali [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. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. [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. [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. [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. The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew. Some diyas may also be set adrift on streams and river and the evening is marked with fireworks. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. Diwali Dates Detailed Information October 18, 2019 By Simran Jeet Singh (RNS) With more than a billion people celebrating Diwali every year, the festival is one of the largest and most significant religious observances. The third day is Diwali and the height of the festival. "When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? 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. Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. 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. [140] According to Handelman and Shulman, as quoted by Pintchman, this legend is a Hindu metaphor for the cosmic process for creation and dissolution of the world through the masculine destructive power, as represented by Shiva, and the feminine procreative power, represented by Parvati, where twelve reflects the number of months in the cyclic year, while thirty are the number of days in its lunisolar month. [27] Newar Buddhists, unlike other Buddhists, celebrate Diwali by worshipping Lakshmi, while the Hindus of Eastern India and Bangladesh generally celebrate Diwali by worshipping the goddess Kali. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. The celebration of Diwali aligns with the new moon, so it's celebrated on a different day each year. Where does Diwali get its name? [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. A diya that is filled with sesame oil is lit at back of their homes facing in the southern direction. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. [21][22] Many towns organise community parades and fairs with parades or music and dance performances in parks. [170] National and civic leaders such as the former Prince Charles have attended Diwali celebrations at prominent Hindu temples in the UK, such as the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, using the occasion to highlight contributions of the Hindu community to British society. A lunar year varies in length, each month containing approximately 29.5 days (354 days) depending on the moon's movement with respect to the earth. In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. [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. Iff a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. 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. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. ( See calendar ). These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. [12][114] Families also prepare homemade delicacies for Lakshmi Pujan, regarded as the main day of Diwali. [128][95], The day after Diwali is the first day of the bright fortnight of Kartik. [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. [43][82] Along with Lakshmi, who is representative of Vaishnavism, Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Parvati and Shiva of Shaivism tradition, is remembered as one who symbolises ethical beginnings and the remover of obstacles. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. [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. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. [115][144][145], The agricultural symbolism is also observed on this day by many Hindus as Annakut, literally "mountain of food". On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers. Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. Learn about Diwali, when it occurs, and common traditions! [20], The festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period not only for families,[17][18] but also for communities and associations, particularly those in urban areas, which will organise activities, events and gatherings. It is usually celebrated on October or November every year. Some suggest he lived in the 5th-century BCE contemporaneously with the Buddha. Lakshmi is the focus of worship on that day. 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). Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. 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. 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". Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . [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. It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. The five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. Diwali is an important festival in Jainism. [109][133] According to Rachel Fell McDermott, a scholar of South Asian, particular Bengali, studies, in Bengal during Navaratri (Dussehra elsewhere in India) the Durga puja is the main focus, although in the eastern and north eastern states the two are synonymous, but on Diwali the focus is on the puja dedicated to Kali. Diwali this year is a close-knit family affair. [116] On this day, many Hindus clean their homes and business premises. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights. Diwali celebrates Rama's eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. [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. The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. 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). Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. People often think of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains . During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. 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. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. A lunar half-month is 15 days. The reason Diwali's celebration date is different each year is that each of the Hindu calendarsthere are severalis lunisolar, meaning they take into effect both the movements of the sun and the moon. Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. Fireworks are often set off in the evening to celebrate Diwali. Diwali is a five-day festival begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. This year's festival begins on Oct. 22. 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. Here is the schedule for Diwali 2022: Day 1: October 22, 2022 Trayodashi - Dhanteras; Day 2: October 23, 2022 Chaturdashi - Choti Diwali; Day 3: October 24, 2022 Amavasya - Diwali 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. [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. [41], Diwali (English: /dwli/)[9] or Divali[44] is from the Sanskrit dpvali meaning "row or series of lights". It is well preserved on the north wall of the second. Learn Religions. [12] Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, business associates and relatives, and exchanging gifts. This year (2021), Diwali begins on Tuesday 2 November, with the peak day of celebrations happening on the third day, Thursday 4 November. [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. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobinds return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalioran echo of Ramas return to Ayodhya. Find out all about the history, traditions and significance of Diwali in this blogpost. [52] In Nepal, it is also a multiday festival, although the days and rituals are named differently, with the climax being called the Tihar festival by Hindus and Swanti festival by Buddhists. [140], This day ritually celebrates the bond between the wife and husband,[143] and in some Hindu communities, husbands will celebrate this with gifts to their wives. Hindus celebrating Diwali in India. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. . The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. [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. Food is a major focus with families partaking in feasts and sharing mithai. Cook, Sharell. The first day, November 2, is Dhanteras. The duration will be 1 hour 56 minutes. [174][175] Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. Every year the festival falls either in November or in October and that depends on how the cycle of moon is going in that particular year. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. [114], On the second day of Diwali, Hanuman Puja is performed in some parts of India especially in Gujarat. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewelry, firecrackers, and other items. [103][104][k], Diwali is not a festival for most Buddhists, with the exception of the Newar people of Nepal who revere various deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and celebrate Diwali by offering prayers to Lakshmi. 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. However you celebrate Diwali, Denver's growing Indian food scene offers a rich culinary experience for those who enjoy fresh ingredients, diverse textures, and complex combinations of spices from the South Asian subcontinent. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartik which is considered as the most serene months according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. 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. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. This celebration lasts five days and takes place during the Hindu lunisolar month, Kartika. [92][12], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali has transcended religious lines. The height of Diwali is celebrated on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of Ashvin or Kartika. Many participate in other socio-political events as a symbol of support for diversity and inclusiveness. 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. People will wear their best clothes and pray to Lakshmi as lamps are lit outside homes and temples. Diwali is one of the most revered and a pious festival deeply entrenched in Hindu culture. This is the day when Hindu, Jain and Sikh temples and homes are aglow with lights, thereby making it the "festival of lights". [148] On this day the womenfolk of the family gather, perform a puja with prayers for the well being of their brothers, then return to a ritual of feeding their brothers with their hands and receiving gifts. [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). In 2019, Diwali started on October 25 as reported by The Fact. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? [151], During the season of Diwali, numerous rural townships and villages host melas,[152] or fairs, where local producers and artisans trade produce and goods. 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. Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna. Omissions? Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. 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. The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. Hindu temples on this day prepare and present "mountains of sweets" to the faithful who have gathered for darshan (visit). Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. 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 . This legend is remembered through the ritual of building small mountain-like miniatures from cow dung. [176], Every year during Diwali, Indian forces approach their Pakistani counterparts at the border bearing gifts of traditional Indian confectionery, a gesture that is returned in kind by the Pakistani soldiers who give Pakistani sweets to the Indian soldiers. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. This is why dates change every year. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. [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. One of the earliest reports on this variation was by Wilson in 1847. 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.
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