[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. Residents of Amritsar lit lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. [64][65][d][e], Publications from the British colonial era also made mention of Diwali, such as the note on Hindu festivals published in 1799 by Sir William Jones, a philologist known for his early observations on Sanskrit and Indo-European languages. It is celebrated in India and other countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji, and Mauritius. Diwali (English: /dwli/), Dewali, Divali,[3] or Deepavali (IAST: dpval), also known as the Festival of Lights,[4][5] related to Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna, is a religious[6] celebration in Indian religions. When is Navaratri in 2021, 2022, and 2023? Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. For planning purposes, here are the dates for the main celebrations for Diwali for the next few years: 2019: Sunday, October 27 (starts on October 25, ends on October 29) 2020: Saturday, November 14 (November 12-16) 2021: Thursday, November 4 (November 2-6) 2022: Monday, October 24 (October 22-26) 2023: Wednesday, November 7 (November 5-9) [124] Many visit their favourite Hindu temple. [123], This day is commonly celebrated as Diwali in Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Karnataka. [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. [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". It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [153][p] In the modern day, Diwali mela are held at college, or university, campuses or as community events by members of the Indian diaspora. Diwali falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. This year, it begins in the first week of November from 2nd-6th. This is done via a bathing ritual called Abhyanga Snan. Sharell Cook lives in Mumbai full-time and writes about India travel. Diwali is one of the most revered and a pious festival deeply entrenched in Hindu culture. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? Historical records appear inconsistent about the name of the lunar month in which Diwali is observed. Das, Subhamoy. Diwali is celebrated for almost five days consecutively. Confectioners and shops create Diwali-themed decorative displays, selling these in large quantities, which are stocked for home celebrations to welcome guests and as gifts. When is Diwali? [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. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . 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. 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]. Das, Subhamoy. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. In other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter, or son, together with their spouses to a festive meal and give them gifts. It is a day in which people rid themselves of evil and everything negative. Join half a million readers enjoying Newsweek's free newsletters. The word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. The Diwali night's lights and firecrackers, in this interpretation, represent a celebratory and symbolic farewell to the departed ancestral souls. Dates for 2020 to 2025. Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? 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. ( See calendar ). Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. This begins with the first day known as "Dhanteras' or the worship of wealth. In some communities, husbands will give gifts to their wives, while in others parents with newly married children invite them and their spouses to enjoy a meal and receive gifts. 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. For planning purposes, here are the dates for the main celebrations for Diwali for the next few years: The date to celebrate Diwali generally changes by a week to 10 days every year. The exact dates change each year but this year, Diwali falls on Monday 24 October. [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. This is the day when Hindu, Jain and Sikh temples and homes are aglow with lights, thereby making it the "festival of lights". 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 variety of sweets are prepared using flour, semolina, rice, chickpea flour, dry fruit pieces powders or paste, milk solids (mawa or khoya) and clarified butter (ghee). "Deepawali" and "Dipawali" redirect here. 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). * Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. 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. This year, Diwali begins on Monday 24 October on the Gregorian calendar. (2021, September 4). "There were a hundred-plus of us at my cousin's house each year," she explains. On this day, sisters will give gifts to their brothers and invite them to enjoy a meal. amnta / primnta. 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 second day is devoted to Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Edward Reddcliff Diwali is for mere mortals; Dev Deepawali is the festival of the gods. Like : If I was born on Sept 18 th - which is a full moon day I need to celebrate my bday on a full moon day in that month( even month is different from calender months) Hop. The festival isn't celebrated in Kerala though. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. On this day, Lord Dhanwantari came out of the ocean with Ayurvedic for mankind. The five days are as follows:. In 2022, the five days of Diwali begin on October 22, with the most important festival date taking place on October 24. 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 It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. The exact date changes every year because the Hindu calendar is lunar. Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi Devi is worshipped on this day and it is customary to purchase precious articles. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. [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. [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. It's observed on the 15th day of the month. 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. [41], Diwali (English: /dwli/)[9] or Divali[44] is from the Sanskrit dpvali meaning "row or series of lights". This year it was from November 5th-9th and in 2019 it will be October 25-29th. [124], As the evening approaches, celebrants will wear new clothes or their best outfits, teenage girls and women, in particular, wear saris and jewelry. Shiva surrenders his shirt and adornments to her, rendering him naked. The Hindu calendar is based on both the sun and moon (while the Gregorian calendar is only based on the sun). All the days except Diwali are named using the designation in the Indian calendar. [n] Vishwakarma is the presiding Hindu deity for those in architecture, building, manufacturing, textile work and crafts trades. 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. When people are exposed to these pollutant particles, they may suffer from eye, nose, and throat-related problems. Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. Diwali is a five-day festival begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Diwali along with Holi for Hindus, and Easter for Christians, was adopted as public holiday resolution by Pakistan's parliament in 2016, giving the local governments and public institutions the right to declare Holi as a holiday and grant leave for its minority communities, for the first time. [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. Diwali celebrates Rama's eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home. Kartik overlaps with October and November. It was in early 20th-century, states Harjot Oberoi, a scholar of Sikh history, when the Khalsa Tract Society triggered by the, Hindus of eastern and northeastern states of India associate the festival with the goddess. [135] Vaishnava families recite Hindu legends of the victory of good over evil and the return of hope after despair on the Diwali night, where the main characters may include Rama, Krishna, Vamana or one of the avatars of Vishnu, the divine husband of Lakshmi. A lunar half-month is 15 days. [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. The dates of Diwali change every year as it dependent on the moon cycle. Diwali is known as the festival of lights in India. The festival climax is on the third day and is called the main Diwali. (2021, October 12). This year, Diwali will be on Thursday, Nov. 4. This event is free and UCF students of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. Hit ctrl+D to bookmark this page, and share this page with your friends. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on 19th October (Sunday). [147] In historic times, this was a day in autumn when brothers would travel to meet their sisters, or invite their sister's family to their village to celebrate their sister-brother bond with the bounty of seasonal harvests.