Diwali
diwali english also known deepavali iast dīpāvalī hindu festival light variation celebrated indian religion symbolises spiritual victory light darkness good evil knowledge ignorance diwali celebrated hindu lunisolar month ashvin according amanta tradition kartika—between around midseptember midnovember celebration generally last five six day diwali connected various religious event deity personality day rama returned kingdom ayodhya wife sita brother lakshmana defeating demon king ravana also widely associated lakshmi goddess prosperity ganesha god wisdom remover obstacle regional tradition connect holiday vishnu krishna durga shiva kali hanuman kubera yama yami dhanvantari vishvakarman primarily hindu festival variation diwali also celebrated adherent faith jains observe diwali mark final liberation mahavira sikh celebrate bandi chhor diva mark release guru hargobind mughal prison newar buddhist unlike buddhist celebrate diwali worshipping lakshmi hindu eastern india bangladesh generally celebrate diwali worshipping goddess kali festival celebrant illuminate home temple workspace diyas oil lamp candle lantern hindu particular ritual oil bath dawn day festival diwali also marked firework well decoration floor rangoli design part house jhalars food major focus family partaking feast sharing mithai festival annual homecoming bonding period family also community association particularly urban area organise activity event gathering many town organise community parade fair parade music dance performance park hindu jains sikh send diwali greeting card family near far festive season occasionally box indian confectionery another aspect festival remembering ancestor diwali also major cultural event hindu sikh jain diaspora main day festival diwali day lakshmi puja official holiday fiji guyana india malaysia mauritius myanmar nepal pakistan singapore sri lanka suriname trinidad tobago diwali english —also known dewali divali deepavali iast dīpāvalī—comes sanskrit dīpāvali meaning row series light term derived sanskrit word dīpa lamp light lantern candle glow shine illuminates knowledge āvali row range continuous line series fiveday celebration observed every year early autumn conclusion summer harvest coincides new moon amāvasyā deemed darkest night hindu lunisolar calendar festivity begin two day amāvasyā dhanteras extend two day second th day month kartik according indologist constance jones night end lunar month ashwin start month kartik – see note amanta purnima system darkest night apex celebration coincides second half october early november gregorian calendar festival climax third day called main diwali official holiday dozen country festive day regionally observed either public optional restricted holiday india nepal also multiday festival although day ritual named differently climax called tihar festival hindu swanti festival buddhist fiveday long festival originated indian subcontinent likely fusion harvest festival ancient india mentioned early sanskrit text padma purana skanda purana completed second half st millennium ad diyas lamp mentioned skanda kishore purana symbolising part sun describing cosmic giver light energy life seasonally transition hindu calendar month kartik emperor harsha refers deepavali thcentury sanskrit play nagananda dīpapratipadotsava dīpa light pratipadā first day utsava festival lamp lit newly engaged bride groom received gift rajasekhara referred deepavali dipamalika thcentury kavyamimamsa wherein mention tradition home whitewashed oil lamp decorated home street market night diwali also described numerous traveler outside india thcentury memoir india persian traveller historian al biruni wrote deepavali celebrated hindu day new moon month kartika venetian merchant traveller niccolò de conti visited india early thcentury wrote memoir another festival fix within temple outside roof innumerable number oil lamp kept burning day night family would gather clothe new garment sing dance feast thcentury portuguese traveler domingo paes wrote visit hindu vijayanagara empire dipavali celebrated october householder illuminating home temple lamp mentioned ramayana diwali celebrated year ayodhya islamic historian delhi sultanate mughal empire era also mentioned diwali hindu festival notably mughal emperor akbar welcomed participated festivity whereas others banned festival diwali holi aurangzeb publication time british raj also made mention diwali note hindu festival published sir william jones philologist known early observation sanskrit indoeuropean language paper lunar year hindu jones based bengal noted four five day diwali autumn month aswinacartica sic following bhutachaturdasi yamaterpanam nd day lacshmipuja dipanwita day diwali dyuta pratipat belipuja th day bhratri dwitiya th day lacshmipuja dipanwita remarked jones great festival night honour lakshmi illumination tree house sanskrit inscription stone copper mentioning diwali occasionally alongside term dipotsava dipavali divali divalige discovered numerous site across india example include thcentury rashtrakuta empire copper plate inscription krishna iii – ce mention dipotsava thcentury mixed sanskritkannada sinda inscription discovered isvara temple dharwad karnataka inscription refers festival sacred occasion according lorenz franz kielhorn german indologist known translating many indic inscription festival mentioned dipotsavam verse ranganatha temple sanskrit inscription thcentury venad hindu king ravivarman samgramadhira part inscription translated kielhorn read auspicious festival light disperses profound darkness former day celebrated king ila kartavirya sagara sakra indra god universal monarch know duty three veda afterwards celebrated ranga vishnu resplendent lakshmi resting radiant lap jain inscription thcentury saundatti inscription donation oil jinendra worship diwali ritual speak dipotsava another early thcentury sanskrit stone inscription written devanagari script found north end mosque pillar jalore rajasthan evidently built using material demolished jain temple inscription state ramachandracharya built dedicated drama performance hall golden cupola diwali religious significance diwali varies regionally within india one tradition link festival legend hindu epic ramayana diwali day rama sita lakshmana hanuman reached ayodhya period year exile rama army good defeated demon king ravanas army evil throughout epic rama decision always line dharma duty diwali festival serf reminder follower hinduism maintain dharma day day life per another popular tradition dvapara yuga period krishna avatar vishnu killed demon narakasura evil king pragjyotishapura near presentday assam released girl held captive narakasura diwali celebrated signifier triumph good evil krishna victory narakasura day diwali remembered naraka chaturdashi day narakasura killed krishna many hindu associate festival goddess lakshmi goddess wealth prosperity wife vishnu according pintchman start day diwali festival stated popular contemporary source day goddess lakshmi born samudra manthana churning cosmic ocean milk devas god asura demon – vedic legend also found several purana padma purana night diwali lakshmi chose wed vishnu along lakshmi representative vaishnavism ganesha elephantheaded son parvati shiva shaivism tradition remembered one symbolises ethical beginning remover obstacle hindu eastern india associate festival goddess kali symbolises victory good evil hindu braj region northern india part assam well southern tamil telugu community view diwali day god krishna overcame destroyed evil demon king narakasura yet another symbolic victory knowledge good ignorance evil trade merchant family others also offer prayer saraswati embodies music literature learning kubera symbolises bookkeeping treasury wealth management western state gujarat certain northern hindu community india festival diwali signifies start new year mythical tale shared diwali vary widely depending region even within hindu tradition yet share common focus righteousness selfinquiry importance knowledge according lindsey harlan indologist scholar religious study path overcoming darkness ignorance telling myth reminiscent hindu belief good ultimately triumph evil originally hindu festival diwali transcended religious line diwali celebrated hindu jains sikh newar buddhist although faith mark different historical event story nonetheless festival represents symbolic victory light darkness knowledge ignorance good evil jainism scholar jain nivethan state jain tradition diwali celebrated observance mahavira nirvana diva physical death final nirvana mahavira jain diwali celebrated many part india similar practice hindu diwali lighting lamp offering prayer lakshmi however focus jain diwali remains dedication mahavira according jain tradition practice lighting lamp first began day mahaviras nirvana bce king gathered mahaviras final teaching issued proclamation lamp lit remembrance great light mahavira traditional belief origin diwali significance jains reflected historic artwork painting sikhism sikh celebrate bandi chhor diva remembrance release guru hargobind gwalior fort prison mughal emperor jahangir day arrived golden temple amritsar according j grewal scholar sikhism sikh history diwali sikh tradition older sixth guru hargobind legend guru amar da third guru sikh built well goindwal eightyfour step invited sikh bathe sacred water baisakhi diwali form community bonding time spring autumn festival became important sikh festival holy site amritsar became focal point annual pilgrimage festival diwali according ray colledge highlight three event sikh history founding city amritsar release guru hargobind mughal prison day bhai mani singhs martyrdom result failure pay fine trying celebrate diwali thereafter refusing convert islam buddhism diwali festival buddhist exception newar people nepal revere various deity vajrayana buddhism celebrate diwali offering prayer lakshmi newar buddhist nepalese valley also celebrate diwali festival five day much way day nepalese hindu diwalitihar festival according observer traditional celebration newar buddhist nepal worship lakshmi vishnu diwali syncretism rather reflection freedom within mahayana buddhist tradition worship deity worldly betterment leadup diwali celebrant prepare cleaning renovating decorating home workplace diyas oil lamp rangolis colourful art circle pattern diwali people wear finest clothes illuminate interior exterior home saaki earthen lamp diyas rangoli perform worship ceremony lakshmi goddess prosperity wealth light firework partake family feast mithai sweet gift shared height diwali celebrated third day coinciding darkest night ashvin kartika common celebratory practice known festival light however minor difference state state india diwali usually celebrated twenty day vijayadashami festival dhanteras regional equivalent marking first day festival celebrant prepare cleaning home making decoration floor rangolis region india start diwali festivity day dhanteras govatsa dwadashi second day naraka chaturdashi third day day lakshmi puja darkest night traditional month part india day lakshmi puja marked govardhan puja balipratipada padwa hindu community mark last day bhai dooj regional equivalent dedicated bond sister brother hindu sikh craftsman community mark day vishvakarma puja observe performing maintenance work space offering prayer ritual preparation diwali begin day week advance typically festival dusshera precedes diwali day festival formally begin two day night diwali end two day thereafter day following ritual significance diwali become popular country new york city lawmaker passed legislation make holiday school debate holiday push back future diwali holiday dhanteras derived dhan meaning wealth tera meaning thirteenth mark thirteenth day dark fortnight ashwin kartik beginning diwali part india day many hindu clean home business premise install diyas small earthen oilfilled lamp light next five day near lakshmi ganesha iconography woman child decorate doorway within home office rangolis colourful design made rice flour flower petal coloured rice coloured sand boy men decorate roof wall family home market temple string light lantern day also mark major shopping day buying new utensil home equipment gold jewellery firecracker item evening dhanteras family offer prayer puja lakshmi ganesha lay offering puffed rice candy toy rice cake batashas hollow sugar cake according tracy pintchman dhanteras symbol annual renewal cleansing auspicious beginning next year term dhan day also alludes ayurvedic icon dhanvantari god health healing believed emerged churning cosmic ocean day lakshmi community particularly active ayurvedic healthrelated profession pray perform havan ritual dhanvantari dhanteras yama deepam also known yama dipadana jam ke diya hindu light diya ideally made wheat flour filled sesame oil face south back home believed please yama god death ward untimely death hindu observe yama deepa second night main day diwali naraka chaturdashi also known chhoti diwali second day festivity coinciding fourteenth day dark fortnight ashwin kartik term chhoti mean little naraka mean hell chaturdashi mean fourteenth day ritual interpreted way liberate soul suffering naraka hell well reminder spiritual auspiciousness hindu day pray peace mane defiled soul one ancestor light way journey cyclic afterlife mythological interpretation festive day destruction asura demon narakasura krishna victory free imprisoned princess kidnapped narakasura also celebrated roop chaudas north indian household woman bathe sunrise lighting diya lamp bath area believe help enhance beauty – fun ritual young girl enjoy part festivity ubtan applied woman made special gram flour mixed herb cleansing beautifying naraka chaturdashi also major day purchasing festive food particularly sweet variety sweet prepared using flour semolina rice chickpea flour dry fruit piece powder paste milk solid mawa khoya clarified butter ghee according goldstein shaped various form laddus barfis halwa kachoris shrikhand sandesh rolled stuffed delicacy karanji shankarpali maladu susiyam pottukadalai sometimes wrapped edible silver foil vark confectioner shop create diwalithemed decorative display selling large quantity stocked home celebration welcome guest gift family also prepare homemade delicacy lakshmi pujan regarded main day diwali chhoti diwali also day visiting friend business associate relative exchanging gift second day diwali hanuman puja performed part india especially gujarat coincides day kali chaudas believed spirit roam around night kali chaudas hanuman deity strength power protection worshipped seek protection spirit diwali also celebrated mark return rama ayodhya defeating demonking ravana completing fourteen year exile devotion dedication hanuman pleased rama much blessed hanuman worshipped thus people worship hanuman day diwalis main day day commonly celebrated diwali tamil nadu goa karnataka traditionally marathi hindu south indian hindu receive oil massage elder family day take ritual bath sunrise many visit favourite hindu temple hindu observe yama deepam also known yama dipadana jam ke diya second day diwali instead first day diya filled sesame oil lit back home facing southern direction believed please yama god death ward untimely death third day height festival coincides last day dark fortnight ashwin kartik day hindu jain sikh temple home aglow light thereby making festival light word deepawali come sanskrit word deep mean indian lanternlamp youngest member family visit elder grandparent senior member community day small business owner give gift special bonus payment employee dhanteras lakshmi pujan shop either open close early day allowing employee enjoy family time shopkeeper small operation perform puja ritual office premise unlike festival hindu typically fast fiveday long diwali including lakshmi pujan rather feast share bounty season workplace community centre temple home evening approach celebrant wear new clothes best outfit teenage girl woman particular wear sari jewellery dusk family member gather lakshmi pujan although prayer also offered deity ganesha saraswati rama lakshmana sita hanuman kubera lamp puja ceremony used light earthenware lamp placed row along parapet temple house diyas set adrift river stream puja people go outside celebrate lighting patakhe firework together share family feast mithai sweet dessert puja ritual bengali hindu community focus kali goddess war instead lakshmi according rachel fell mcdermott scholar south asian particular bengali study bengal navaratri dussehra elsewhere india durga puja main focus although eastern north eastern state two synonymous diwali focus puja dedicated kali two festival likely developed tandem recent history state mcdermott textual evidence suggests bengali hindu worshipped lakshmi colonial era kali puja recent phenomenon contemporary bengali celebration mirror found elsewhere teenage boy playing firework sharing festive food family shakti goddess kali focus night diwali ritual across much india dedicated lakshmi welcome cleaned home bring prosperity happiness coming year cleaning painting home part goddess lakshmi also signifies ritual reenactment cleansing purifying action monsoon rain would concluded indian subcontinent vaishnava family recite hindu legend victory good evil return hope despair diwali night main character may include rama krishna vamana one avatar vishnu divine husband lakshmi dusk lamp placed earlier inside outside home lit welcome lakshmi family member light firecracker interpret way ward evil spirit inauspicious well add festive mood according pintchman quote raghavan ritual may also linked tradition community paying respect ancestor earlier season fortnight welcome soul ancestor join family festivity mahalaya diwali night light firecracker interpretation represent celebratory symbolic farewell departed ancestral soul celebration ritual jains sikh similar hindu social community bond renewed major temple home decorated light festive food shared friend relative remembered visited gift day diwali first day bright fortnight kartik regionally called annakut heap grain padwa goverdhan puja bali pratipada bali padyami kartik shukla pratipada name according one tradition day associated story bali defeat hand vishnu another interpretation thought reference legend parvati husband shiva playing game dyuta dice board twelve square thirty piece parvati win shiva surrender shirt adornment rendering naked according handelman shulman quoted pintchman legend hindu metaphor cosmic process creation dissolution world masculine destructive power represented shiva feminine procreative power represented parvati twelve reflects number month cyclic year thirty number day lunisolar month day ritually celebrates bond wife husband hindu community husband celebrate gift wife region parent invite newly married daughter son together spouse festive meal give gift rural community north west central region fourth day celebrated govardhan puja honouring legend hindu god krishna saving cowherd farming community incessant rain flood triggered indra anger accomplished lifting govardhan mountain legend remembered ritual building small mountainlike miniature cow dung according kinsley ritual use cow dung common fertiliser agricultural motif celebration significance annual crop cycle agricultural symbolism also observed day many hindu annakut literally mountain food community prepare one hundred dish variety ingredient dedicated krishna shared among community hindu temple day prepare present mountain sweet faithful gathered darshan visit gujarat annakut first day new year celebrated purchase essential sabra literally good thing life salt offering prayer krishna visiting temple gujarat new year celebrated day diwali early morning people take shower prayer home visit temple worship child evening visit neighbour house say happy new year shake hand get mukhvas dessert chocolate last day festival second day bright fortnight kartik called bhai duj literally brother day bhau beej bhai tilak bhai phonta celebrates sisterbrother bond similar spirit raksha bandhan brother travel meet sister family festive day interpreted symbolise yama sister yamuna welcoming yama tilaka others interpret arrival krishna sister subhadras place defeating narakasura subhadra welcome tilaka forehead day celebrates sibling bond brother sister day womenfolk family gather perform puja prayer well brother return ritual feeding brother hand receiving gift according pintchman hindu tradition woman recite tale sister protect brother enemy seek cause either bodily spiritual harm historic time day autumn brother would travel meet sister invite sister family village celebrate sisterbrother bond bounty seasonal harvest artisan hindu sikh community celebrates fourth day vishwakarma puja day vishwakarma presiding hindu deity architecture building manufacturing textile work craft trade loom tool trade machine workplace cleaned prayer offered livelihood mean season diwali numerous rural township village host melas fair local producer artisan trade produce good variety entertainment usually available inhabitant local community enjoy woman particular adorn colourful attire decorate hand henna event also mentioned sikh historical record modern day diwali mela held college university campus community event member indian diaspora event variety music dance art performance food craft cultural celebration featured diwali mark major shopping period india comparable christmas period term consumer purchase economic activity traditionally time household purchase new clothing home refurbishment gift gold jewelry large purchase particularly festival dedicated lakshmi goddess wealth prosperity purchase considered auspicious according rao diwali one major festival rural indian spend significant portion annual income mean renew relationship social network good bought substantial quantity diwali include confectionery firework ₹ billion u million firework sold merchant diwali season equivalent retail value ₹ billion u million according time india assocham trade organisation india forecasted online shopping alone ₹ billion u billion diwali season twothirds indian household according assocham forecast would spend ₹ u ₹ u celebrate diwali stock market like nse bse india typically closed diwali exception diwali muhurat trading session hour evening coincide beginning new year indf etf launched mark start diwali diwali increasingly attracted cultural exchange becoming occasion politician religious leader worldwide meet hindu indian origin citizen diplomatic staff neighbour many participate sociopolitical event symbol support diversity inclusiveness catholic dicastery pontifical council interreligious dialogue founded secretariat nonchristians pope paul vi began sending official greeting pope message hindu diwali mids many government encourage sponsor diwalirelated festivity territory example singaporean government association hindu endowment board singapore organises many cultural event diwali every year national civic leader former prince charles attended diwali celebration prominent hindu temple uk swaminarayan temple neasden using occasion highlight contribution hindu community british society additionally city across uk show support celebration diwali light decoration cultural festivity dance performance food stall workshop since diwali celebrated every year downing street residence british prime minister diwali first celebrated white house george w bush religious historical significance officially recognized united state congress barack obama became first president personally attend diwali white house eve first visit india president united state obama released official statement sharing best wish celebrating diwali every year diwali indian force approach pakistani counterpart border bearing gift traditional indian confectionery gesture returned kind pakistani soldier give pakistani sweet indian soldier use firecracker diwali increase concentration dust pollutant air firing fine dust particle get settled surrounding surface packed chemical like copper zinc sodium lead magnesium cadmium pollutant like oxide sulfur nitrogen invisible yet harmful particle affect environment turn put people health stake smoke created firecracker lit diwali cause smog sometimes take day clear diwali level suspended particulate matter increase people exposed pollutant particle may suffer eye nose throatrelated problem produce color cracker burst carcinogenic poisonous element used celebration new delhi briefly took top spot world air pollution air quality index one night use firework diwali also lead burn injury one particular firework called anar fountain found responsible injury adult typical victim injury sustained group type burn minor requiring outpatient care expert urge precaution around candle fire ask child kept safe distance flame enjoy festivity diwali diwali celebration ayodhya uttar pradesh india broke guinness world record largest display oil lamp displayed eve diwali dictionary definition diwali wiktionary quotation related diwali wikiquote ancient origin diwali india’s biggest holiday becky little deepawali winter air pollution around diwali asthma