Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important festivals of the year not only in India but also in Nepal, Malaysia, Singapore and other countries with South Asian communities. The festival is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs around the world.
A woman lights an earthen lamp on the occasion of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at her home in Guwahati, India
Diwali was born with the symbolic meaning of new beginnings and the victory of good over evil, of light over darkness. Not only that, Diwali is also an occasion for people in India to feel the warm festive atmosphere, shake off grudges, join in joy and pray to the gods to bestow good things. Also on this occasion, families gather, clean and decorate their houses. Many types of lights are decorated in front of the house.
In India, Diwali is a national holiday. On Diwali night, Hindus wear their best clothes and light candles inside and outside their homes. Family members and close friends often socialize and exchange gifts on this day. In the evening, they hold a private prayer ceremony to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, a symbol of luck and prosperity.
Sikh devotees light candles at sunset during Diwali at the illuminated Gurudwara Bangla Sahib temple in New Delhi
According to traditional beliefs, on Diwali night - the night considered the darkest moon of the year, Indians often pour oil into clay lamps to light and leave them on all night to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. But today, clay oil lamps are replaced by strings of electric colored lights, flashing all around the house. Diwali cannot be without candles and fireworks to ward off evil spirits and welcome Lord Ram back after many years of exile.
Diwali festival lasts for 5 days, each day will have a different name and meaning with many events taking place.
A potter makes and sells earthen lamps ahead of Diwali, along a roadside in New Delhi
A woman selling flowers waits for customers at a market, ahead of Diwali in Mumbai
The first day of the festival is called Dhanatrayodashi (or Dhan Teras), which is a day of prosperity and wealth. It is the 13th day of the waning moon of Kartika. On this day, people go to the markets to buy some lucky jewelry, as they believe that this will bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. Earthen oil lamps are lit day and night. In the evening during the festival, when diyas (lamps and candles) are lit to ward off darkness, where evil spirits reside, Indian families worship Lakshmi. People praise Goddess Lakshmi with the song “Bhajan” and offer her sweets “Navedya”. In South India, people believe that Lakshmi is an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, so cows are also beautifully decorated and worshiped during this festival.
Devotees hold oil lamps while praying during Diwali at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The second day - Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, is the day the demon Narakasura was killed, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Traditionally, people take a bath early in the morning, before the sun rises on Choti Diwali. While children bathe, they light fireworks and firecrackers to create a lively and joyful atmosphere. After bathing, people enjoy steamed noodles with sugar and milk or eat rice cakes with curd. On this second day of the festival, Indians light lamps and pray all day. They believe that the light from diyas not only dispels the darkness of ignorance but also heralds a bright and joyful tomorrow.
Devotees light earthen lamps on the banks of the Sarayu River on the eve of Diwali, in Ayodhya, India
The third day is Diwali, the day of Goddess Lakshmi Puja - the goddess of auspicious beginnings. This is the most important and auspicious day of the festival. On Diwali night, Hindus will wear their newest or best clothes. Women will wear elaborately designed traditional sarees, which highlight their mysterious beauty and inherent charm. They light diyas both inside and outside their homes to show their righteousness and participate in family puja (prayer).
After the Puja, people compete to set off fireworks for about two hours, from 10 pm to 12 pm, and the whole land of India is lit up in a beautiful sparkling light. After that, they join in family parties and exchange gifts. On Diwali, people also enjoy gambling together because according to the Shiva-Parvati legend, whoever gambles on Diwali will be prosperous all year.
Residents set off firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India
Houses decorated with lanterns and lights during Diwali in Mumbai
The fourth day of the festival is Govardhan Puja (also known as Annakut), the day Krishna defeated Indra. On this day, the idols of the gods in the temples are bathed in milk and dressed in beautiful clothes and precious jewelry. After the worship, people offer sweets and cakes to the gods.
The food items are beautifully decorated and arranged into small mountains, symbolizing the mountain that Krishna had to overcome. Also on this day in the Diwali festival in India, many families also celebrate Gudi Padwa, symbolizing the deep and passionate love between husband and wife. The wife applies red tilak on her forehead, wears flowers and prays for her husband's longevity, while the husband gives his wife gifts.
Hindus from Malaysia and neighboring countries gather at Batu Caves to perform morning prayers and celebrate the first day of Diwali in Malaysia
Devotees light oil lamps while offering prayers during Diwali at a temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka
People participate in Diwali celebrations at the Hindu Center of Charlotte, North Carolina
The fifth day, called Bhaiya Duj in Hindi or Bhau Beej in the Marathi speaking community, is a day when siblings in the family meet each other and express their care and affection for each other.
In the brilliant, shimmering lights, the Diwali Festival atmosphere is more bustling with captivating traditional Indian dances, famous Bollywood songs and special circus performances. The bustling atmosphere is more fun when people enjoy traditional Indian specialties such as goat curry or marinated chicken wings. In addition, there are also entertainment booths for children such as dancing castles, sand paintings, etc.
Diwali is one of the most important occasions on the Indian festival scene. Known as the “celebration of lights”, Diwali is a celebration of the victory of light over evil and darkness.
Under the magical and sparkling lights, the bustling atmosphere of the festival combined with traditional Indian dances to famous Bollywood music has made the festival more meaningful than ever. Not only that, at the Diwali festival, people can also enjoy dishes considered traditional Indian specialties.
