Diwali: India’s glorious celebration of the victory of good over evil

Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in India, which is also known as the Festival of Lights and is widely celebrated in countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Fiji and other communities far from the homeland in South Asia. More than one billion Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists around the world celebrate Diwali. During the Diwali celebration, they light up all the houses, buildings and public places in the city and set off fireworks. In this celebration, people gather with their families, eat sweets and give gifts to each other.

Learn more about Diwali:

What is Diwali?

“Diwali” (Diwali) from the Sanskrit word “Deepavali” means “row of light”. This word is an irony about the victory of light over darkness and the victory of good over evil. Diwali celebration traditions have differences based on region and religion; But in general, the myths and historical stories of this celebration have themes of justice and liberation.

_{Photo source: Edition.cnn.com website. Photographer: Rafiq Maqbool}

On what date is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated in the autumn season between October and November and its date changes every year. This celebration lasts for five days and the main celebration is on the third day. The time of this celebration in India in the year 2024 starts from October 29 (November 8, 1403) and continues until November 3 (November 13, 1403).

The main celebration is performed on the third day, after sunset and when the moon is visible in the sky; Therefore, October 31, 2024 (Aban 10, 1403), will be an ideal day to celebrate Diwali. Needless to say, in some cities, people will celebrate Diwali on November 1, 2024.

Diwali calendar

Each day of Diwali celebration has its own name and story. These days include the following, respectively:

Dantras

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali. Many people celebrate this day with the intention of good luck and prosperity and by buying gold, silver, utensils and other household items. Some clean their houses to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and some worship Dhanvantari, the god of Ayurveda, and Yamaraj, the god of Ayurveda. death, they pay

Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi

The second day of Diwali, called Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi, marks the defeat of Lord Krishna from the demon king Narakasura. On this day, people wake up earlier than usual and clean the house after taking a bath. It is also customary to bake sweets and decorate houses on Chhoti Diwali.

Diwali or Lakshmi Puja

Diwali or Lakshmi Puja is the third and most important day of Diwali festival. On this day, in addition to worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, family members gather together and give gifts to each other and eat delicious food and sweets.

_{Photo source: Edition.cnn.com website. Photographer: Narinder Nanu}

Padwa or Govardhan Puja

The fourth day of Diwali festival is called “Padwa” or “Govardhan Puja”. On this day, they honor the relationship between husband and wife, and men often buy gifts for their wives in order to express their gratitude. In some traditions, Padwa Day commemorates the day when Lord Krishna raised the Guardan Hill to protect the villagers from the rain caused by Lord Indra’s wrath. Also, on this day, they make clay statues and restore old statues. Some also cook food and offer it to Krishna.

Bye Dodge

The last day of Diwali is celebrated for the love between brothers and sisters and in honor of the emotional bond between Lord Yama and his sister Yami.Yami) or “Yamuna” They celebrate On the day of “Bhai Dooj” ((Bhai Dooj)) sometimes sisters put a red mark on the forehead of their brothers and brothers give them gifts.

Legends of Diwali

Diwali is mainly celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists; But many people of the world celebrate this festival like Christmas regardless of religion.

The meaning of Diwali may have different meanings in different regions. For example, one of the legends comes from the Hindu epic, “Ramayana”; During the exile of “Prince Rama” (God Vishnu) and his wife “Sita” (Goddess Lakshmi), Sita is stolen by “Demon King Ravana”. Then a battle takes place between Prince Rama and Ravana, and Rama wins the battle and rescues Sita. For some Hindus, Diwali marks the triumphant return of Rama and Sita to their kingdom after 14 years of exile.

_{Photo source: Edition.cnn.com website. Photographer: Xavier Galiana}

Some Hindus in South India celebrate Lord Krishna’s defeat of Narakasura, which led to the rescue of 16,000 girls from Satan’s captivity. In western India, Diwali is also celebrated to commemorate the day Lord Vishnu banishes the demon king Bali to earth to rule.

Sikhs celebrate Diwali as “Bandi Chhor Divas” meaning “Freedom Day”. The reason and philosophy of this naming was the release of “Guru Hargobind”, the sixth Guru (teacher and religious guide) of the Sikhs, along with 52 Hindu kings from Jahangir (Mongol Emperor) prison. According to the traditions, “Jehangir Mughal” initially only ordered the release of Guru Hargobind; But he refuses to leave without the royal family. After that, Jahangir announced that only those who can go with the Guru who hold his robe; For this reason, the Guru hung 52 tassels on his robe so that all the rulers could be freed with him.

For Jains, Diwali means the day when “Lord Mahavira”, their last spiritual leader, passed away and based on his thoughts, he left his body in the world and achieved enlightenment. For Buddhists, Diwali is also the day that “Emperor Ashoka” (son of one of the kings of the Mauryan dynasty) accepted Buddhism.

Rituals of Diwali celebration

In addition to common traditions, Diwali celebration includes decorating houses, buying gold and household items, lighting firecrackers, fireworks, and feasting on food and sweets. For example, in some parts of India, people play group games with dice. These games originate from a legend in which Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati play a dice game; Therefore, Hindus consider playing during these days to be auspicious.

Diwali also marks the beginning of the Hindu financial year, and many businesses, traders and shopkeepers plan for the new financial year during the Diwali holiday and festival.

_{Photo source: Edition.cnn.com website. Photographer: Manjunath Kiran}

Have you had the experience of participating in the Diwali festival? Which diwali legend do you think is more interesting? If you have an opinion, share it with us and other Kejaro companions in the comments section of this article.

_{Cover photo source: Edition.cnn.com website. Photographer: Sanjay Kanojia}