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Diwali (Divali, Dewali, Deepavali): The Festival of Lights

Diwali is a five-day festival that typically falls in October or November on the Gregorian calendar. It occurs either in the middle of the lunar month of Ashwayuja, or at the end of that month and the beginning of the lunar month of Kartika, depending on which version of the Hindu calendar is prevalent in a given region. In the latter case, it marks the beginning of a New Year, giving it additional significance.

Diwali is the most eagerly awaited festival in India, as important as Christmas can be in much of the western world, and is celebrated by Indian communities around the world. Diwali celebrations take place in England, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Mauritius, India, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa.

The Sanskrit word “Deepawali” means a row of lighted lamps that stands for the victory of brightness over darkness, and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. Homes are cleaned and windows are opened to welcome wealth and good luck. Candles and small oil lamps called “diyas” are lit and placed in and around the home, and people hang colorful paper lanterns called “kandils.” Diwali is also a festival of colors, and with colorful decorations and patterns .

There are many different variants on the celebrations, traditions and legends surrounding Diwali. Everywhere, it signifies the renewal of life, and it is common to wear new clothes during the festival. Girls and women wear colorful clothing, new jewelry and decorate their hands with henna designs. The festival heralds the approach of winter and the beginning of the sowing season. The North Indian business community usually starts its financial new year on Diwali, and new account books are opened on the fourth day of the festival (the first day of the lunar new year).

During the festival of Diwali, fairs called “Melas” are held throughout India in many towns and villages. In the countryside, a mela becomes a market day. Melas can include puppet shows, jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers, fortune tellers, food stalls, and a variety of rides such as ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels.

The Five Days of Diwali and the Origins of the Festival of Lights:

You can read about the customs and beliefs associated with each day of the festival of Diwali here.

Happy Diwali!

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