Guide to Diwali – The Indian festival of lights

Rangoli

If you are in India right now then you are going to see the best fireworks you have ever seen. Every single household in India will be lighting clay lamps and cracking fireworks. Here’s a brief guide to the festival of Diwali.

Diwali (also known as Deepavali) as it is known to the world is the Hindu festival of lights. It is a five day festival but the most important is the day when fireworks are displayed. Generally, it falls between mid October to early November every year. The 2014 Diwali falls on the Thursday 23rd of October. The date is dictated by the Indian lunar calendar. Many a times it coincides with Guy Fawkes Night (5th of November) of Great Britain.

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Diwali is supposed to be the celebration of the victory of good over evil. Followers of all principal Indian religions Namely Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism will celebrate Diwali. Sikhs and Jains celebrate Diwali for separate reasons. It is thought that Mahavira the “founder” or the last Jain Tirthankar of the Jain religion attained Mokhsha on Diwali while the Sikhs celebrate because the sixth guru called Guru Hargobind freed himself and other Hindu rulers on this day in October 1619 from the Muslim Mughal ruler Emperor Jahangir.

Hindus consider this the day Lord Ram came back to his kingdom of Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile. It is also the day when “Lakshmi”, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity is worshipped. Not many people know this but this was the night when Lakshmi choose Vishnu as her husband. Diwali is also the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calender.

The way Indians celebrate Diwali is by lighting row of lights all around the house. The lights typically are of clay lamps with oil as fuel but nowadays electric light and candles are used. Special prayers will be done to please “Lakshmi”. It is thought that “Lakshmi” would find her way to a house using these lights.

We eat sweets, buy new clothes and utensils, worship Lakshmi and give presents to friends and family and of course crack the fireworks.

Diwali Rangoli
A Rangoli in the house on Diwali day: Rangoli’s are made of flower petals, lamps and colours with religious symbols.

Ask your hotel the best place to see Diwali lights. But the best way to get to know about Diwali would be to spend time with an Indian family. If you can’t, then you can always wonder around the local markets and see what’s going on.

Happy Diwali

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52 thoughts on “Guide to Diwali – The Indian festival of lights”

  1. Indeed Diwali is our biggest festival that is celebrated across India. I had no idea about the Vishnu and Lakshmi story about Diwali.

    Wishing you and your family a very happy Diwali… thanks

  9. I had being seeing Happy Diwali on most of friends walls on Facebook since I have lots of Indian friends but knew what Diwali was all about then I remembered your blog.
    It is one blog which has everything about India and here I am being told it’s a festival of Light.

    Thanks for the insight and please do have a great day!

  10. Hi Shalu Ji
    I love Diwali festival and It’s my favorite.
    It’s a fact that your blog posts are so unique and interesting and I enjoys a lot while reading your posts because you explained your post very deeply in a very easy and clear language. Thanks for your support and Happy Blogging 😀

  13. This is my favorite festival as because on this day, we all get together and celebrate the most popular festival of India beautifully.

    Thanks for sharing such an incredible guide

  14. I like the Diwali & the Holi festival very much. As i am in abroad, I can’t take part of these festival But i just keep an eye in the festival that people enjoys these. I wish i could go to India & participate these two festivals.

  16. Hey Dear, Great Post. Extremely well written. It helped me. SO, I would like to thank you for this. And I hope it will help many others.Hope you will be sharing these types of valuable articles regularly. Have a nice weekend.

  21. Yes it is our culture and we are celebratng with our families and friends. You are describing such a nice definition of Diwali festival. This is the only festival that whole atmosphere is difeferent in India.

  22. Your article about Indian diwali festival its very nice and good informative to me and all who read your post. I am Indian and I like Indian Diwali Festival.
    You sharing this post its too good.
    Thank you.

  32. Thanks for sharing this excellent post. Diwali is one of the famous festivals in India. Indian people celebrate this festival in October or November month. The festival is the bringer of joy with a variety of sweets and new dresses. The great fun of lighting fireworks is the specialty of Diwali.

  33. Once I have been to India. That was the time of Diwali celebration. As I didn’t have any idea about that kinda festival I quite. By reading your blog now it’s kinda clear to me. Hope will be in India again.

  34. Thanks for sharing this excellent post. Diwali is one of the famous festivals in India. Indian people celebrate this festival in October or November month. The festival is the bringer of joy with a variety of sweets and new dresses.

  35. Nice to celebrate Diwali, the New´s Years Eve in India with fireworks. In Mexico me also celebrate with “pirotecnia” , “piromusical” spanish words for fireworks.
    As the owner of iSHOW the best Special Effects company for Events in Mexico I salute and hope happy holidays

  38. Hi Shalusharma,
    Shaluji such a you guide to diwali indian festival of lights, Good Topic I think every indian wait for this day because Diwali is indian biggest festival and i also, Good Work Shaluji ….

  40. I had being seeing Happy Diwali on most of friends walls on Facebook since I have lots of Indian friends but knew what Diwali was all about then I remembered your blog.
    It is one blog which has everything about India and here I am being told it’s a festival of Light.

    Thanks for the insight and please do have a great day!

  41. Your article about Indian diwali festival its very nice and good informative to me and all who read your post. I am Indian and I like Indian Diwali Festival.
    You sharing this post its too good.
    Thank you.

  42. diwali is festival of lights and happiness around. diwali is one of my favorite festival. we eat sweets and celebrate diwali. every indian celebrate diwali.

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