Diwali is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. It is also known as Deepavali (also spelled as Deepawali, Dipawali, or Dipavali). It is called a “festival of lights.”  Diwali festival spans nearly 15 days from the first day, i.e., Vasubaras, to Tulsi Marriage, but not all 15 days are celebrated. The most important days of the Diwali festival are Vasubaras, Dhantrayodashi, Narak Chaturdashi, Laxmipujan, Padwa, Bhaubij, and the Marriage of Tulsi. Diwali is also a very important festival in Jainism and Sikhism. Not only Hindus but also people of other religions, including Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims, and Christians, celebrate Diwali. Deepavali is the most celebrated festival in India. Diwali festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm worldwide, including in countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, America, Trinidad and Tobago, etc.

What is the meaning of the word Diwali?

The original name of Diwali is Deepavali, which literally means “row of lamps.”  It is a Sanskrit word. “Deep” (“Dee” is pronounced as “the” in “these” and “p” as in “soap”) means lamp. As the festival is mainly celebrated by lighting the small clay oil lamps, it is called Deepavali.

When is the Diwali Festival celebrated?

Deepavali is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar. It starts on the 12th day of the second fortnight of the month, Ashwin. This generally coincides from mid-October to mid-November according to the Gregorian calendar.

Why is the festival of Deepavali Celebrated?

On the day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the people welcomed him by lighting oil lamps made of clay on all the roads and houses. This celebration lasted for 15 days. King Ravana represents the evil force, and Lord Rama represents the good force. Hence, Deepavali is celebrated as the triumph of good over evil.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Before Deepavali, people clean and paint their houses. New clothes are bought for everybody in the house. Most private, as well as government organizations, announce bonuses for their employees. During the festival of Deepavali, official holidays are announced for about 5 to 15 days. Many prefer buying new home appliances, bikes, cars, houses, etc. Laksmipujan and Padwa are considered good Muhurats for buying new things. Women in homes make many types of sweets for Deepavali. Children and elderly people celebrate Diwali by wearing new clothes and bursting firecrackers. The sky lanterns glowed up near all the houses. The clay oil lamps are lit in and around the houses in the evening. The women draw beautiful designs of Rangoli in front of their homes. The unique bath called Abhyanga Snan is performed during the Deepavali Festival.

On the first day, i.e., Vasubaras, the cow and the calf are worshiped.

On the second day, i.e., Dhantrayodashi, most Indian businessmen start their financial year. The old diaries for business are replaced with new ones.

Narak Chaturdashi is the day Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasur. On this day, Hindus get up early in the morning and burst firecrackers after having Abhyanga Snanam.

Laxmi Pujan is the most important day of Diwali. Laxmi means wealth, and Puja means to worship. So, wealth is worshiped on this day. This is the most celebrated day of Diwali.

Padwa is the day on which wives apply Kumkum tilak between the eyebrows of their husbands and husbands give gifts to their wives. This is the first day of the Vikram Sanvatsar calendar.

On Bhaubij, married sisters invite their brothers to their homes for lunch or dinner. Brothers give gifts to their sisters.

The marriage of Tulsi is the last day of the Diwali festival, on which the small ceremony of the marriage of the Tulsi plant with Lord Vishnu is celebrated.

Impact of Deepavali on the Economy:

Diwali is as important to Hindus as Christmas is to Christians and Eid is to Muslims. Before Diwali, huge bonuses are announced by private as well as government companies to the employees. People do shopping on a large scale during Diwali. Gold and silver ornaments, new clothes, cars, bikes, home appliances, and items related to Deepavali, like sky lanterns, firecrackers, etc., are bought on a large scale, which boosts the economy. Many companies launch special discounts and lucky draw contests to encourage shopping during the Diwali festival.

Eco-Friendly Diwali Festival:

Because of the increasing environmental concerns, the people of India have decreased the use of firecrackers during the Diwali festival. People are also preferring to buy eco-friendly items for Deepavali. Some people get seriously injured while bursting firecrackers; hence, special care should be taken while celebrating Diwali.

I wish you a very happy and safe Diwali!