What is Diwali?

“What exactly is Diwali?” The answer to this question depends on who you ask. If you ask someone who follows the Sikh religion, they might tell you that Diwali represents the day that the 6th Sikh guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment. If you ask someone who follows Hinduism, they might say that Diwali is about the celebration of one of the incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu, King Rama, returning to his kingdom after rescuing his wife Sita from the evil King Lanka. With the many religions that celebrate Diwali, like Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Buddhism, come many different explanations for this holiday, so for a general answer, Diwali is about good winning over evil and light triumphing over darkness. Diwali was on November 12th this year, but the date varies.

How is Diwali celebrated?

The Diwali celebration lasts five days. On the first day, people clean their homes and shop for kitchen utensils or gold to bring them good fortune. On day two, people decorate with clay lamps and beautiful designs made from vividly colored powders called rangolis. The third day of Diwali is the biggest day when people gather for a prayer to the goddess Lakshmi, called Lakshmi puja. After this, people gather for feasts and fireworks. Day four marks the first day of the new year, so relatives and friends visit with presents and good wishes. On day five, the brothers see their married sisters, who welcome them with love and a lavish meal. 

To sum up everything, Diwali is a widely celebrated festival to symbolize light triumphing over darkness. The celebration of Diwali lasts five days with different meanings and traditions. People decorate with rangolis and give presents. Learn more about Diwali here and leave a comment!

Links

The Ancient Origins of Diwali

What Is Diwali? Everything To Know About India’s Festival of Lights

Diwali: Festival of Lights