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"When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? The second day, called NarakaChaturdashiorChotiDiwali, commemorates Krishnas destruction of Narakasura; prayers are also offered for the souls of ancestors. Amavasya Tithi on Diwali begins at. In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. Diwali is typically a four- or five-day event, starting two days before the new moon and extending two days afterward. [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. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. In some parts of India, the day after Lakshmi Puja is marked with the Govardhan Puja and Balipratipada (Padwa). The 5 days of Diwali When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? [135][136] At dusk, lamps placed earlier in the inside and outside of the home are lit up to welcome Lakshmi. Sainsbury's bans fireworks across . Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. This is the day when Hindu, Jain and Sikh temples and homes are aglow with lights, thereby making it the "festival of lights". [125], Some Hindus observe Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya) on the second day of Diwali, instead of the first day. 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. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. Communities prepare over one hundred dishes from a variety of ingredients, which is then dedicated to Krishna before being shared among the community. Das, Subhamoy. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. This is done via a bathing ritual called Abhyanga Snan. [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. Sometimes these are wrapped with edible silver foil (vark). Das, Subhamoy. More Topics Diwali, which is celebrated on different dates each year as it follows the lunar calendar, will begin on October 24 this year and last for five days. 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. This year, Diwali 2022 begins on Monday, October 24, 2022 (24/10/2022), and finishes on Wednesday, October 26, 2022 (26/10/2022). Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. The main festival day falls on a different date each autumn, timed to the Hindu lunar calendar, but it . Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . The Lacshmipuja dipanwita, remarked Jones, was a "great festival at night, in honour of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees and houses".[68][f]. In some months, a day needs to be dropped to correlate with a shorter lunar cycle. This is why dates change every year. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. [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. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. [79] Throughout the epic, Rama's decisions were always in line with dharma (duty) and the Diwali festival serves as a reminder for followers of hinduism to maintain their dharma in day to day life. Omissions? [43], The artisan Hindu and Sikh community celebrates the fourth day as the Vishwakarma puja day. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" A 2017 estimate states 50,000 tons (100million pounds) of fireworks are exploded annually in India over the Diwali festival. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. Answer (1 of 6): Hindus do not follow date system. It began sending official greetings and message to Muslims in 1967 on. It celebrates the sister-brother bond, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan but it is the brother that travels to meet the sister and her family. The women, in particular, adorn themselves in colourful attire and decorate their hands with henna. A lunar half-month is 15 days. 2. (2021, September 4). [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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. [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. [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. The dates for Diwali change each year, as they are based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil and an even deeper meaning is to drive away our inner darkness with light. [13][14][93][94], A scholar of Jain and Nivethan, states that in Jain tradition, Diwali is celebrated in observance of "Mahavira Nirvana Divas", the physical death and final nirvana of Mahavira. The holiday overlaps with the Hindu New Year and as a result is associated with a chance to reset and start anew. It is a national holiday in India which marks its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. [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. Diwali this year is a close-knit family affair. 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. 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. A variety of entertainments are usually available for inhabitants of the local community to enjoy. 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. [15][131][132] After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks) together, and then share a family feast and mithai (sweets, desserts). [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. 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 Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. * Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious festivals worldwide, it takes place every year between October and November and it commemorates the spiritual victory of light over darkness. It is mentioned in Sanskrit texts dating from the fourth century CE but was likely practiced for many hundreds of years before that. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . 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 . Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. [184], During Diwali, the levels of suspended particulate matter increase. Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair and of knowledge over ignorance. [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 word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. He has written several books about Hinduism for children and young adults. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. [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. Food is a major focus with families partaking in feasts and sharing mithai. Some 200,000 New Yorkers celebrate Diwali each year, per state Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar . [101] According to J.S. 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. 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. [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. Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartik which is considered as the most serene months according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. Monier Monier Williams (2008 updated, Harvard University), Sanskrit English dictionary, . [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. Traditionally, Marathi Hindus and South Indian Hindus receive an oil massage from the elders in the family on the day and then take a ritual bath, all before sunrise. [12] According to Goldstein, these are then shaped into various forms, such as laddus, barfis, halwa, kachoris, shrikhand, and sandesh, rolled and stuffed delicacies, such as karanji, shankarpali, maladu, susiyam, pottukadalai. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). 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. [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. [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. [135][61] While the cleaning, or painting, of the home is in part for goddess Lakshmi, it also signifies the ritual "reenactment of the cleansing, purifying action of the monsoon rains" that would have concluded in most of the Indian subcontinent. [9][10][11] It is a post-harvest festival celebrating the bounty following the arrival of the monsoon in the subcontinent.[12]. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. 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. People will wear their best clothes and pray to Lakshmi as lamps are lit outside homes and temples. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewelry, firecrackers, and other items. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. 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. The festivals and . This festive day is interpreted by some to symbolise Yama's sister Yamuna welcoming Yama with a tilaka, while others interpret it as the arrival of Krishna at his sister Subhadra's place after defeating Narakasura. Calendar Of Deepavali Holidays 2022.We present you with all the dates Diwali will have from 2022 till 2040. 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. 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. [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 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 festivities usually last for 5 days. Each day of Diwali is marked differently. Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. The first day, November 2, is Dhanteras. [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. According to Truschke, Aurangzeb did so because he found the festivals "distasteful" and also from "concerns with public safety" lurking in the background. ( See calendar ). While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. What is Diwali? [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. Over time, these spring and autumn festivals became the most important of Sikh festivals and holy sites such as Amritsar became focal points for annual pilgrimages. It is one of the most important festivals within Hinduism[7][8] where it generally lasts five days (or six in some regions of India), and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (according to the amanta tradition) and Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. Das, Subhamoy. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. [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). In 2022, Diwali will begin on October 22, and end on October 26. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. The word "Deepavali" means "a row of lights" in Sanskrit, and its origins were likely as an ancient harvest festival. It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. "[74][h], Jain inscriptions, such as the 10th-century Saundatti inscription about a donation of oil to Jinendra worship for the Diwali rituals, speak of Dipotsava. 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). It coincides with the new moon (amvasy) and is deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. This year, it begins in the first week of November from 2nd-6th. When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023? [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. 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. Updates? [7] The Jains observe their own Diwali which marks the final liberation of Mahavira,[25][26] the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison. [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. 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. The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi. [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 2023, Diwali is on November 12. Diwali is celebrated every year in either October or November, based on the lunar cycle. Diwali is usually celebrated twenty days after the Vijayadashami festival, with Dhanteras, or the regional equivalent, marking the first day of the festival when celebrants prepare by cleaning their homes and making decorations on the floor, such as rangolis. [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. 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). Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. Lasting over five days, the holiday is celebrated by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. The inscription states that Ramachandracharya built and dedicated a drama performance hall, with a golden cupola, on Diwali. [53][54], The five-day long festival originated in the Indian subcontinent and is likely a fusion of harvest festivals in ancient India. [123], This day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Karnataka.