[125], Some Hindus observe Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya) on the second day of Diwali, instead of the first day. 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). Answer (1 of 6): Hindus do not follow date system. On the eve of his first visit to India as President of the United States, Obama released an official statement sharing his best wishes with "those celebrating Diwali". Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. For some Hindus, it is a day to pray for the peace to the manes, or defiled souls of one's ancestors and light their way for their journeys in the cyclic afterlife. Fireworks are often set off in the evening to celebrate Diwali. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. Kartik overlaps with October and November. It is intended to signify a brother's duty to protect his sister as well as sisters blessing their brothers. Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobinds return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalior, an echo of Lord Ramas return to Ayodhya. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. [77][78][i], The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. 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). [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. [166] Stock markets like NSE and BSE in India are typically closed during Diwali, with the exception of a Diwali Muhurat trading session for an hour in the evening to coincide with the beginning of the new year. [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. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali [159][160] According to Rao, Diwali is one of the major festivals where rural Indians spend a significant portion of their annual income, and is a means for them to renew their relationships and social networks. It coincides with the day of Kali Chaudas. While Diwali spans five days, the holiday reaches its peak on day three this year, falling on Oct. 24, 2022. [116][114] Women and children decorate doorways within homes and offices with rangolis, colourful designs made from rice flour, flower petals, colored rice or colored sand,[23] while the boys and men decorate the roofs and walls of family homes, markets, and temples and string up lights and lanterns. Historical records appear inconsistent about the name of the lunar month in which Diwali is observed. This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 2022. The meaning of Diwaliand its many legends Diwali is so widely. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" The final day is Bhai Dooj and similarly, celebrates the bonds between brothers and sisters. Diwali is also celebrated to mark the return of Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon-king Ravana and completing his fourteen years of exile. The celebration of Diwali aligns with the new moon, so it's celebrated on a different day each year. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Also known as the 'festival of lights', the celebration usually lasts for five days. The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4.. It's a celebration that takes place 15 days after Diwali - the Hindu festival of lights. People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. [171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. 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 word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. In other regions, parents invite a newly married daughter, or son, together with their spouses to a festive meal and give them gifts. Diwali 2021: What the holiday . Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. 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. 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. The holiday falls in late October or early November each year, and in 2021, is on Thursday, November 4. . It is the main day of the Diwali festival. The exact date changes every year because the Hindu calendar is lunar. Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. [177][s], The use of fireworks also causes an increase in the number of burn injuries in India during Diwali. It is in fact the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksh, the dark forthnight of the month of Kartik. Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. [79], Hindus of eastern India associate the festival with the Goddess Kali, who symbolises the victory of good over evil. Some Muslims joined the Hindu community in celebrating Diwali in the Mughal era. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . The Lacshmipuja dipanwita, remarked Jones, was a "great festival at night, in honour of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees and houses".[68][f]. As per India's official holiday calendar, Diwali in 2020 will be on Saturday, November 14, coinciding with the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. [12] Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, business associates and relatives, and exchanging gifts. These lamps symbolize the light of inner spirituality that protects us from the spiritual darkness that threatens to engulf us. The celebration will include dancing, a fashion show and other performances, as well as free food. The five day festival falls in the first week of Novmber. The Catholic dicastery Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, founded as Secretariat for non-Christians by Pope Paul VI, began sending official greetings and the Pope's message to the Hindus on Diwali in the mid-1990s. This year it was from November 5th-9th and in 2019 it will be October 25-29th. [43][55], Emperor Harsha refers to Deepavali, in the 7th-century Sanskrit play Nagananda, as Dpapratipadotsava (dpa = light, pratipad = first day, utsava = festival), where lamps were lit and newly engaged brides and grooms received gifts. Scholars contest the 527 BCE date and consider Mahavira's biographical details as uncertain. Diwali lasts five days, and the main celebrations are held on the third day of the festival. [117] Some Hindus observe Yama Deepa on the second night before the main day of Diwali.[118][119]. The dates change each year because they are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it typically happens in October and November. Das, Subhamoy. DIWALI. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. [170] National and civic leaders such as the former Prince Charles have attended Diwali celebrations at prominent Hindu temples in the UK, such as the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, using the occasion to highlight contributions of the Hindu community to British society. Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution). In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. Choti Diwali is the major shopping day for festive, Annakut community meals (left), Krishna holding, A sister ritually feeding her brother on Bhai Duj-Diwali, Dhanteras, Dhanatrayodashi, Yama Deepam (Day 1), Naraka Chaturdashi, Kali Chaudas, Chhoti Diwali, Hanuman Puja, Roop Chaudas, Yama Deepam (Day 2), Annakut, Balipratipada (Padwa), Govardhan Puja (Day 4), Bhai Duj, Bhau-Beej, Vishwakarma Puja (Day 5). Diwali takes places every year, either in October or November, depending on the position of the Moon. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. [173], Diwali was first celebrated in the White House by George W. Bush in 2003 and its religious and historical significance was officially recognized by the United States Congress in 2007. [7] The Jains observe their own Diwali which marks the final liberation of Mahavira,[25][26] the Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas to mark the release of Guru Hargobind from a Mughal prison. These two festivals likely developed in tandem over their recent histories, states McDermott. Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. This event is free and UCF students of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. [135][136] At dusk, lamps placed earlier in the inside and outside of the home are lit up to welcome Lakshmi. [183] These invisible yet harmful particles affect the environment and in turn, put people's health at stake. Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. Diwali is also known as the 'Festival of Light' because it is celebrated using lights, fireworks and lanterns in private homes and public places. [176], Every year during Diwali, Indian forces approach their Pakistani counterparts at the border bearing gifts of traditional Indian confectionery, a gesture that is returned in kind by the Pakistani soldiers who give Pakistani sweets to the Indian soldiers. A Hindu devotee lights oil lamps at a temple during . During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. [174][175] Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. What is Diwali? Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE. [184], During Diwali, the levels of suspended particulate matter increase. Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartik. Sometimes these are wrapped with edible silver foil (vark). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. Ritually, in honour of Lakshmi, the female player always wins. 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. Diaspora, Identity, and Festivalization, The Festival of 'Deepavali' as Marks of Tradition and Identity for Working, Married Hindu Women: Continuity and Change, Celebrations as Social Investments: Festival Expenditures, Unit Price Variation, and Social Status in Rural India, M.A., English Literature, University of North Bengal. Typically the holiday falls in October or November, as it's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holy month of the Hindu lunar calendar . It's the holiday season and Diwali is around the corner. Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. 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. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . One tradition starts a new month from the new moon, while the other starts it from the full moon. Sainsbury's bans fireworks across . It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. The name of this festival is derived from 'avali,' which means 'row,' and 'deepa,' meaning "clay lamps." Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while othersobserve it as the birthday of Lakshmi. [24], Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now also celebrated by other faiths. The second day, called NarakaChaturdashiorChotiDiwali, commemorates Krishnas destruction of Narakasura; prayers are also offered for the souls of ancestors. 2. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. 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. In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. The festivities vary between different regions. It is a national holiday in India which marks its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. Part of the inscription, as translated by Kielhorn, reads: "the auspicious festival of lights which disperses the most profound darkness, which in former days was celebrated by the kings Ila, Kartavirya and Sagara, () as Sakra (Indra) is of the gods, the universal monarch who knows the duties by the three Vedas, afterwards celebrated here at Ranga for Vishnu, resplendent with Lakshmi resting on his radiant lap. 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). 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. [109] Textual evidence suggests that Bengali Hindus worshipped Lakshmi before the colonial era, and that the Kali puja is a more recent phenomenon. For Sikhs, the celebration highlights the release of guru Hargobind Singh from prison and his return to Amritsar. Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. [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). Ths festival of lights, i.e. One of the earliest reports on this variation was by Wilson in 1847. Diwali is celebrated for five days, each with its own special significance. Meaning "rows of lighted lamps," Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness for different cultures across the world, especially South Asia. The course of the five days includes cleaning . Diwali, the festival of lights, is a religious observance commemorated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists around the world. [126] Family members light up firecrackers, which some interpret as a way to ward off all evil spirits and the inauspicious, as well as add to the festive mood. Diwali or Deepavali - "The festival of lights" is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. Learn Religions, Sep. 4, 2021, learnreligions.com/when-is-diwali-1770209. Learn Religions. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated religious festivals worldwide, it takes place every year between October and November and it commemorates the spiritual victory of light over darkness. It is believed that spirits roam around on the night of Kali Chaudas, and Hanuman, who is the deity of strength, power, and protection, is worshipped to seek protection from the spirits. It is traditionally a puja, or a celebration that worships, honors, and shows devotion to the divine. In 2022, Diwali is on October 24. Find out all about the history, traditions and significance of Diwali in this blogpost. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning row of lights. The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. It's a one-day celebration, known as Deepavali, that usually falls a day before the main Diwali date but sometimes occurs on the same day (when the lunar days overlap). We usually plan for our parents to visit us during this period but the pandemic has made it difficult this year for everyone. Diwali or Deepawali, known as the "festival of lights," is usually celebrated in October or November, and is on October 24 this year. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. [13][14][93][94], A scholar of Jain and Nivethan, states that in Jain tradition, Diwali is celebrated in observance of "Mahavira Nirvana Divas", the physical death and final nirvana of Mahavira.
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