A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 2022. Diwali also known as Deepavali is the . One of the earliest reports on this variation was by Wilson in 1847. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. This is followed by Choti Diwali the next day and Diwali on November 4. amnta / primnta. [151], During the season of Diwali, numerous rural townships and villages host melas,[152] or fairs, where local producers and artisans trade produce and goods. Diwali is one of the most revered and a pious festival deeply entrenched in Hindu culture. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. [140], This day ritually celebrates the bond between the wife and husband,[143] and in some Hindu communities, husbands will celebrate this with gifts to their wives. [124], As the evening approaches, celebrants will wear new clothes or their best outfits, teenage girls and women, in particular, wear saris and jewelry. A lunar day is uniquely identified by three calendar elements: msa (lunar month), paka (lunar fortnight) and tithi (lunar day). Iff a festival falls in the waning phase of the moon, these two traditions identify the same lunar day as falling in two different (but successive) masa. It is an official holiday in a dozen countries, while the other festive days are regionally observed as either public or optional restricted holidays in India. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. [83][84][85] Hindus from the Braj region in northern India, parts of Assam, as well as southern Tamil and Telugu communities view Diwali as the day the god Krishna overcame and destroyed the evil demon king Narakasura, in yet another symbolic victory of knowledge and good over ignorance and evil. [29][30] Newar Buddhists in Nepalese valleys also celebrate the Diwali festival over five days, in much the same way, and on the same days, as the Nepalese Hindu Diwali-Tihar festival. Bhalla said the dates change each year based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but typically happens in October and November. It takes place on November 26 this year. This legend is remembered through the ritual of building small mountain-like miniatures from cow dung. Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . The darkest night is the apex of the celebration and coincides with the second half of October or early November in the Gregorian calendar. The diyas (lamps) are mentioned in Skanda Kishore Purana as symbolising parts of the sun, describing it as the cosmic giver of light and energy to all life and which seasonally transitions in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik. According to Audrey Truschke, the Sunni Muslim emperor Aurangzeb did limit "public observation" of many religious holidays such as Hindu Diwali and Holi, but also of Shia observance of Muharram and the Persian holiday of Nauruz. While Diwali spans five days, the holiday reaches its peak on day three this year, falling on Oct. 24, 2022. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. It celebrates the sister-brother bond, similar in spirit to Raksha Bandhan but it is the brother that travels to meet the sister and her family. [15][131][132] After the puja, people go outside and celebrate by lighting up patakhe (fireworks) together, and then share a family feast and mithai (sweets, desserts). Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". The meaning of Diwaliand its many legends Diwali is so widely. It is a time when families come together, friends are reunited and everyone celebrates the triumph of good over evil. The name of this festival is derived from 'avali,' which means 'row,' and 'deepa,' meaning "clay lamps." Symbolising the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, Diwali usually falls in the early autumn, coinciding with the new moon, deemed the darkest night of the Hindu lunar calendar. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. [120] The term "chhoti" means little, while "Naraka" means hell and "Chaturdashi" means "fourteenth". It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The day also marks a major shopping day to purchase new utensils, home equipment, jewelry, firecrackers, and other items. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. [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. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Each day has a different name and rituals. Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi Devi is worshipped on this day and it is customary to purchase precious articles. Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. [124][128] Shops either do not open or close early on this day allowing employees to enjoy family time. [114][43][82] On the evening of Dhanteras, families offer prayers (puja) to Lakshmi and Ganesha, and lay offerings of puffed rice, candy toys, rice cakes and batashas (hollow sugar cakes). Diwali is celebrated every year in either October or November, based on the lunar cycle. It is a national holiday in India which marks its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. This year, it begins in the first week of November from 2nd-6th. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. [23] Some Hindus, Jains and Sikhs will send Diwali greeting cards to family near and far during the festive season, occasionally with boxes of Indian confectionery. [124] Many visit their favourite Hindu temple. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" Indian Independence Day Independence Day is celebrated every year during August 15. The word "avali" means row and "deepa . For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death (samsara). At such events a variety of music, dance and arts performances, food, crafts, and cultural celebrations are featured. Next year (2024) November 1 (Friday) Last year (2022) October 24 (Monday) This holiday gets its name from the rows of clay lamps that Indians light just outside their houses. [121] The day and its rituals are interpreted as ways to liberate any souls from their suffering in "Naraka", or hell, as well as a reminder of spiritual auspiciousness. [112] [o] The looms, tools of trade, machines and workplaces are cleaned and prayers offered to these livelihood means. [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. each day of the five-day Diwali comes with a different set of traditions. In 2023, it falls on a Sunday, and some businesses may choose to follow Sunday opening hours. Diwali Diwali (or Deepawali, Deepavali) is an ancient Hindu festival that is celebrated in autumn every year. Cook, Sharell. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. Because Diwali is such a meaningful celebration, festivities are often planned years in advance. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair and of knowledge over ignorance. For example, the Singaporean government, in association with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore, organises many cultural events during Diwali every year. Grewal, a scholar of Sikhism and Sikh history, Diwali in the Sikh tradition is older than the sixth Guru Hargobind legend. Forget bitterness. According to Truschke, Aurangzeb did so because he found the festivals "distasteful" and also from "concerns with public safety" lurking in the background. Diwali Decor. [80], Per another popular tradition, in the Dvapara Yuga period, Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, killed the demon Narakasura, who was the evil king of Pragjyotishapura, near present-day Assam, and released 16000 girls held captive by Narakasura. How is Diwali celebrated? [75][76] Another early 13th-century Sanskrit stone inscription, written in the Devanagari script, has been found in the north end of a mosque pillar in Jalore, Rajasthan evidently built using materials from a demolished Jain temple. This festive day is interpreted by some to symbolise Yama's sister Yamuna welcoming Yama with a tilaka, while others interpret it as the arrival of Krishna at his sister Subhadra's place after defeating Narakasura. [114], According to Tracy Pintchman, Dhanteras is a symbol of annual renewal, cleansing and an auspicious beginning for the next year. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The women, in particular, adorn themselves in colourful attire and decorate their hands with henna. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Cook, Sharell. Diwali is observed on the day of Amavasya or the new moon and marks the start of the Hindu New Year. "The first day . It is well preserved on the north wall of the second. In South India the festival marks Krishnas defeat of the demon Narakasura. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. It's associated with Lord Ram's return to his kingdom in Ayodhya after exile and rescuing his wife from demon king Ravan on Dussehra. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. They celebrate by lighting lamps, decorating temples and monasteries, and worshipping the Buddha. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) the 15th day of the month of Kartik, every year. [109] Textual evidence suggests that Bengali Hindus worshipped Lakshmi before the colonial era, and that the Kali puja is a more recent phenomenon. It began sending official greetings and message to Muslims in 1967 on. The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. The Vishwakarma puja day is alternatively observed in other Hindu communities in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar, and this falls in September. It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. [156] It is traditionally a time when households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, gold, jewelry,[157][158] and other large purchases particularly as the festival is dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and such purchases are considered auspicious. It is one of the most important festivals within Hinduism[7][8] where it generally lasts five days (or six in some regions of India), and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin (according to the amanta tradition) and Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). [91] The telling of these myths are reminiscent of the Hindu belief that good ultimately triumphs over evil. https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426 (accessed March 4, 2023). The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. The day before Diwali is remembered as Naraka Chaturdasi, the day on which Narakasura was killed by Krishna. Firecrackers also cause light pollution. This is believed to please Yama, the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. Deepavali means a row of lights, where 'deep' means light and 'avali' means row. [43], The puja and rituals in the Bengali Hindu community focus on Kali, the goddess of war, instead of Lakshmi. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. Diwali is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The fourth day has different names in different regions and typically celebrates the marital bond. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? It is usually celebrated on October or November every year. The second day is devoted to Naraka Chaturdashi (Choti Edward Reddcliff Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. [154][155][91], Diwali marks a major shopping period in India,[31] and is comparable to the Christmas period in terms of consumer purchases and economic activity. What are the 5 Diwali Days in 2022? The Prayer Hymn (Aarti) for the Hindu Diwali Celebration, The Real Reason for the Hindu Raksha Bandhan Celebration, Hindu Calendar: Days, Months, Years and Epochs, Fasting, Praying, and Regular Hindu Rituals. Learn Religions, Oct. 12, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1539426. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. (2021, October 12). The word "Deepavali" means "a row of lights" in Sanskrit, and its origins were likely as an ancient harvest festival. The Diwali festival dates back to ancient times in India. The third day is the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. 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. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. A lunar half-month is 15 days. Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. According to a Government of Himachal Pradesh and India publication, the Vishvakarma puja is observed on the fourth day of Diwali in the Himalayan state. Here is everything you need to know about the festival and how it is celebrated. 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). Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. Corrections? 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. Shopkeepers and small operations perform puja rituals in their office premises. On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers. Monier Monier Williams (2008 updated, Harvard University), Sanskrit English dictionary, . [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. Every year Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights called Diwali. Subhamoy Das is the co-author of "Applied Hinduism: Ancient Wisdom for Today's World." The incredible amount of fireworks and firecrackers set off during the five days of Diwali have become an issue in many Indian cities, to the point that ambient air and noise during Diwali are considered somewhat of a health hazard. Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Residents of Amritsar lit lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion. In other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter, or son, together with their spouses to a festive meal and give them gifts.

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