What does the Hindu festival of Diwali celebrate?

In India—and for millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all across the world—Diwali marks the biggest celebration of the year. The religious holiday, also referred to as the Festival of Lights, is an auspicious occasion that symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair.

What is Diwali and how is it celebrated?

Diya and lighting, home decoration, shopping, fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, feast, and sweets
Diwali/Observances

What are the traditions for Diwali?

Diwali is typically celebrated by dressing in colorful traditional clothing, lighting the inside and outside of homes with rows of lamps or other lights, and lighting fireworks. There are also worship services, a large traditional feast, and a gift exchange.

Is Diwali a Hindu Christmas?

This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians. Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that’s also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities.

Do Muslims celebrate Diwali?

So it might surprise some people to learn that the tradition actually has it roots in how Mughal emperors celebrated Diwali. It was Muhammad bin Tughlaq, who ruled Delhi from 1324 to 1351, who became the first emperor to celebrate a Hindu festival inside his court.

Is Diwali a religious holiday?

Diwali is so widely celebrated—it’s an important religious festival for Hindus, but is also observed among Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists—that it has no single origin story. But while each religion has its own historical narrative behind the holiday, they all ultimately represent the victory of good over evil.

What are the 5 days of Diwali 2020?

We take a look at the five-day festival that will go something like this in 2020:

• Day 1 – Dhanteras: (November 12, 2020)
• Day 2 – Naraka Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali (Nov 13, 2020)
• Day 3 – Lakshmi Puja/Kali Puja (Nov 14, 2020)
• Day 4 – Govardhan Puja (Nov 15, 2020)
• Day 5 – Bhai Dooj/Vishwakarma Puja (Nov 16, 2020)

What do you say during Diwali?

The celebration lasts five days, during which candles, firecrackers and clay lamps known as diyas are lit to signify the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, Bhalla said. If you want to greet someone who is celebrating you can say “happy Diwali” or “saal mubarak” which means “Happy New Year.”

What do families do during Diwali?

During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.

Who decides Diwali date?

Hindu Lunar Calendar
Diwali Date is Determined by the Hindu Lunar Calendar Like many Indian festivals, the date of Diwali changes every year. The reason for this is due to the Hindu calendar which is based on both lunar and solar cycles that are combined into one system.

What happens each day of Diwali?

Traditionally, each day of Diwali has a different focus. The first day is usually a shopping day, especially for gold or silver. The second day is used to decorate the home. The third day is the main day of the festival with fireworks at night and a feast with family and friends.

What Diwali means?

Festival of Lights
Diwali is the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning “rows of lighted lamps”. Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas.

What is a good gift for Diwali?

Here are some fabulous Diwali gift ideas for friends, family, or yourself!

• Diya Set. The Festival of Lights is just around the corner!
• Candles.
• Diwali Sweets.
• Dried Fruits.
• Lovepop Diwali Card.
• Gift Box.
• Ganesh Statue.
• Lamp.

Why is Diwali so late in 2020?

The most important day of all is considered to be the day of Deepawali. According to the Hindu calendar, Diwali is celebrated every year on the new moon day of the Krishna Paksha of Kartik month. But this year, Diwali was delayed by a month due to malmas. Because of this, Amavasya will fall on two days this year.

What should not be done on Diwali?

Don’t light crackers in hand.