Dates for 2020 to 2025. Unlike some other festivals, the Hindus typically do not fast during the five-day long Diwali including Lakshmi Pujan, rather they feast and share the bounties of the season at their workplaces, community centres, temples, and homes. During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. The Hindu calendar is lunisolar but most festival dates are specified using the lunar portion of the calendar. In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. [103][104][k], Diwali is not a festival for most Buddhists, with the exception of the Newar people of Nepal who revere various deities in Vajrayana Buddhism and celebrate Diwali by offering prayers to Lakshmi. Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books. Here is the schedule for Diwali 2022: Day 1: October 22, 2022 Trayodashi - Dhanteras; Day 2: October 23, 2022 Chaturdashi - Choti Diwali; Day 3: October 24, 2022 Amavasya - Diwali Diwali, also known as Deepavali, falls on 4 November this year. [112][113], Rituals and preparations for Diwali begin days or weeks in advance, typically after the festival of Dusshera that precedes Diwali by about 20 days. In 2019, Diwali started on October 25 as reported by The Fact. For example, the Singaporean government, in association with the Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore, organises many cultural events during Diwali every year. Today it is the "festival of lights," attached to various mythological stories, particularly tales about Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. People illuminate their homes, temples and offices with diyas, candles and lanterns. [117][118][119], The third day is the height of the festival,[126] and coincides with the last day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik. For planning purposes, here are the dates for the main celebrations for Diwali for the next few years: 2019: Sunday, October 27 (starts on October 25, ends on October 29) 2020: Saturday, November 14 (November 12-16) 2021: Thursday, November 4 (November 2-6) 2022: Monday, October 24 (October 22-26) 2023: Wednesday, November 7 (November 5-9) The day of Diwali itself falls on November 4.. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. The main festival day falls on a different date each autumn, timed to the Hindu lunar calendar, but it . ", Some inscriptions mention the festival of lights in Prakrit terms such as, The Sanskrit inscription is in the Grantha script. Some suggest he lived in the 5th-century BCE contemporaneously with the Buddha. Learn Religions. It's observed on the 15th day of the month. Furthermore, when specifying the masa, one of two traditions are applicable, viz. Fireworks are often set off in the evening to celebrate Diwali. It is celebrated for five days across India and other parts of southern Asia, as well as in many other places around the world. Ths festival of lights, i.e. However you celebrate Diwali, Denver's growing Indian food scene offers a rich culinary experience for those who enjoy fresh ingredients, diverse textures, and complex combinations of spices from the South Asian subcontinent. Diwali or Deepavali - "The festival of lights" is one of the most important festivals for Hindus. Earlier in the season's fortnight, some welcome the souls of their ancestors to join the family for the festivities with the Mahalaya. iStockphoto.com/SoumenNath What Do People Do? [73] According to Lorenz Franz Kielhorn, a German Indologist known for translating many Indic inscriptions, this festival is mentioned as Dipotsavam in verses 6 and 7 of the Ranganatha temple Sanskrit inscription of the 13th-century Kerala Hindu king Ravivarman Samgramadhira. [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. Although most important for Hindus, the festival is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. Most of the injuries sustained are Group I type burns (minor) requiring only outpatient care. 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. What makes Dev Deepawali different from Diwali? Diwali 2021: What the holiday . Diwali is a five-day festival begins with Dhanteras and ends with Bhai Dooj. Diwali falls on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which is the new moon day of the first month of the lunar year. [116] Some communities, particularly those active in Ayurvedic and health-related professions, pray or perform havan rituals to Dhanvantari on Dhanteras. Naraka Chaturdashi is also a major day for purchasing festive foods, particularly sweets. [48][127], The youngest members in the family visit their elders, such as grandparents and other senior members of the community, on this day. [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. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. 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. Diwali is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartika and, much like Easter, the date changes every year. 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. [43] In western states such as Gujarat, and certain northern Hindu communities of India, the festival of Diwali signifies the start of a new year. [122] A mythological interpretation of this festive day is the destruction of the asura (demon) Narakasura by Krishna, a victory that frees 16,000 imprisoned princesses kidnapped by Narakasura. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. [68] In his paper on The Lunar Year of the Hindus, Jones, then based in Bengal, noted four of the five days of Diwali in the autumn months of Aswina-Cartica [sic] as the following: Bhutachaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd day), Lacshmipuja dipanwita (the day of Diwali), Dyuta pratipat Belipuja (4th day), and Bhratri dwitiya (5th day). Each day has the following rituals and significance:[43], Dhanteras, derived from Dhan meaning wealth and teras meaning thirteenth, marks the thirteenth day of the dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik and the beginning of Diwali in most parts of India. [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. Some Hindu communities mark the last day as Bhai Dooj or the regional equivalent, which is dedicated to the bond between sister and brother,[111] while other Hindu and Sikh craftsmen communities mark this day as Vishwakarma Puja and observe it by performing maintenance in their work spaces and offering prayers. [81], Many Hindus associate the festival with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. In 2022, Diwali will begin on October 22, and end on October 26. This year's festival begins on Oct. 22. In India, the holiday always falls on the 15th of Kartik, the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar . [174][175] Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. Diwali is a five-day religious festival. Updates? Deepavali means a row of lights, where 'deep' means light and 'avali' means row. 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. The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. This time the revered festival of Diwali is to be held on the month of October 24, 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. "The first day . Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance". [77][78][i], The religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. Diwali, for Vasavada, would always culminate in a large family feast with enough food to feed a small town. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Dhan-trayodashi or Dhan teras: Dhan means "wealth" and Trayodashi means "thirteenth day." Thus, as the name . How is Diwali celebrated? The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Related: 25 Diwali Facts When is Diwali 2022? This is why dates change every year. Diwali (Deepavali) Nov 27, 2023: Guru Nanak's Birthday: Dec 25, 2023: Christmas Day: Which are the other holidays in India? In India, while everyone celebrates Deepavali, people don't amass in public, but rather in small groups with their friends and families in homes, neighborhoods, and local temple communities. 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. While the dates vary annually based on the Hindu lunar calendar, Diwali usually occurs in October or November. [102] The festival of Diwali, according to Ray Colledge, highlights three events in Sikh history: the founding of the city of Amritsar in 1577, the release of Guru Hargobind from the Mughal prison, and the day of Bhai Mani Singh's martyrdom in 1738 as a result of his failure to pay a fine for trying to celebrate Diwali and thereafter refusing to convert to Islam. [112] [o] The looms, tools of trade, machines and workplaces are cleaned and prayers offered to these livelihood means. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. 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. Each day of Diwali is marked differently. [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. It is traditionally a puja, or a celebration that worships, honors, and shows devotion to the divine. Learn Religions. [121] It is also celebrated as Roop Chaudas in some North Indian households, where women bathe before sunrise, while lighting a Diya (lamp) in the bath area, they believe it helps enhance their beauty it is a fun ritual that young girls enjoy as part of festivities. [162][q] ASSOCHAM, a trade organisation in India, forecasted that online shopping alone to be over 300 billion (US$3.8billion) over the 2017 Diwali season. Diwali festivities include a celebration of sights, sounds, arts and flavours. More Topics This means that Diwali kicks off on Oct. 22 and is celebrated through Oct. 26,. Patrice J. Williams is a travel and style content creator, fact-checker and author of the thrift shopping book. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) [70][71][g] Examples include a 10th-century Rashtrakuta empire copper plate inscription of Krishna III (939967 CE) that mentions Dipotsava,[72] and a 12th-century mixed Sanskrit-Kannada Sinda inscription discovered in the Isvara temple of Dharwad in Karnataka where the inscription refers to the festival as a "sacred occasion". "There were a hundred-plus of us at my cousin's house each year," she explains. Dev Deepawali or Dev Diwali takes place on the full-moon night of the Hindu month of Kartika. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month (the month of Kartik) in India's calendar. Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of good fortune and prosperity, is the primary deity worshiped during Diwali. A 2017 estimate states 50,000 tons (100million pounds) of fireworks are exploded annually in India over the Diwali festival. [23] Another aspect of the festival is remembering the ancestors. Cook, Sharell. "When Is Diwali in 2021, 2022 and 2023?" Diwali, which is celebrated on different dates each year as it follows the lunar calendar, will begin on October 24 this year and last for five days. [165] About two-thirds of Indian households, according to the ASSOCHAM forecast, would spend between 5,000 (US$63) and 10,000 (US$130) to celebrate Diwali in 2017. Major temples and homes are decorated with lights, festive foods shared with all, friends and relatives remembered and visited with gifts. [181][182], The use of firecrackers on Diwali increases the concentration of dust and pollutants in the air. Cook, Sharell. In 2013, about 25 billion (US$310million) of fireworks were sold to merchants for the Diwali season, an equivalent retail value of about 50 billion (US$630million) according to The Times of India. [79] The festival formally begins two days before the night of Diwali, and ends two days thereafter. The Prime Minister Jawaharlal . [49] (According to Indologist Constance Jones, this night ends the lunar month of Ashwin and starts the month of Kartik[50] but see this note[c] and Amanta and Purnima systems.) Diwali Celebrations Dates in Different Regions Diwali 2023 (Deepavali 2023) is on Sunday, November 12th in India. The height of Diwali is celebrated on the third day coinciding with the darkest night of Ashvin or Kartika. The inscription states that Ramachandracharya built and dedicated a drama performance hall, with a golden cupola, on Diwali. It is a national holiday in India which marks its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. Food is a major focus with families partaking in feasts and sharing mithai. Diwali is the symbol of the victory of good over evil, of hope over despair and of knowledge over ignorance. They follow thithi which is based on the movement of planets and Sun. Important Read: Tips to Celebrate Diwali in 2021 History and Significance of Diwali Guru Amar Das, the third Guru of the Sikhs, built a well in Goindwal with eighty-four steps and invited Sikhs to bathe in its sacred waters on Baisakhi and Diwali as a form of community bonding. Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. 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. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. They also spend time with family and friends to enjoy good food and fireworks. Large government-sponsored festivals are held in London, Sydney, Toronto, and Edinburgh, and they are often a showcase for Indian culture, music, dance, fashion, food, crafts, and fireworks. Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. This is believed to please Yama (Yamraj), the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. DIWALI. The devotion and dedication of Hanuman pleased Rama so much that he blessed Hanuman to be worshipped before him. The dates for Diwali change each year, as they are based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Firecrackers also cause light pollution. Every year the festival falls either in November or in October and that depends on how the cycle of moon is going in that particular year. In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangoli, consisting of elaborate designs made of colouredrice, sand, or flower petals. 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. This year, Diwali or Deepavali will take place on October 24. In his 11th-century memoir on India, the Persian traveler and historian Al Biruni wrote of Deepavali being celebrated by Hindus on the day of the New Moon in the month of Kartika. Also known as the festival of lights, it's celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus, Jains and some Buddhists. [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. [140] It is regionally called Annakut (heap of grain), Padwa, Goverdhan puja, Bali Pratipada, Bali Padyami, Kartik Shukla Pratipada and other names. [185] When these compounds pollute the air, they increase the risk of cancer in people. This year, the biggest day of festivities (Lakshmi Puja) will take place on November 4, 2021. Diwali was not a public holiday in Pakistan from 1947 to 2016. The festival typically lasts for four to five days and coincides with the new moon on the Hindu lunisolar calendar,. The second day, called NarakaChaturdashiorChotiDiwali, commemorates Krishnas destruction of Narakasura; prayers are also offered for the souls of ancestors. Thus, people worship Hanuman the day before Diwali's main day. Omissions? [120] The term "chhoti" means little, while "Naraka" means hell and "Chaturdashi" means "fourteenth". Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Over time, these spring and autumn festivals became the most important of Sikh festivals and holy sites such as Amritsar became focal points for annual pilgrimages. The Prayer Hymn (Aarti) for the Hindu Diwali Celebration, Hindu Calendar: Days, Months, Years and Epochs, The Real Reason for the Hindu Raksha Bandhan Celebration, History and Significance of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, Reasons to Celebrate Diwali the Festival of Lights, Calendar of Hindu Festivals, Fasts, and Religious Events 20202025, The History of Vasant Panchami, the Birth of Hindu Goddess Saraswati, A Guide to the 6 Seasons of the Hindu Calendar, A Guide to Lohri, The Hindu Winter Bonfire Festival, Evaluating Population Exposure to Environmental Pollutants During Deepavali Fireworks Displays Using Air Quality Measurements of the Safar Network, Whose Diwali Is It? [86], Mythical tales shared on Diwali vary widely depending on region and even within Hindu tradition,[88] yet all share a common focus on righteousness, self-inquiry and the importance of knowledge,[89][90] which, according to Lindsey Harlan, an Indologist and scholar of Religious Studies, is the path to overcoming the "darkness of ignorance". [116] On this day, many Hindus clean their homes and business premises. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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). "[74][h], Jain inscriptions, such as the 10th-century Saundatti inscription about a donation of oil to Jinendra worship for the Diwali rituals, speak of Dipotsava. [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.