India is the land of festivals, and Diwali is the brightest of them all. Diwali, or Deepavali (as it’s also called), is known as the “Festival of Lights.” It is also one of the major festivals of India.
But why? Why do people celebrate Diwali? Why is it called the festival of lights?
You’ll get the answers to questions like these today.
In this article, I’m sharing some of the common FAQs about Diwali you must know.
Common FAQs About Diwali
1- Why Diwali Is Celebrated in India?
Diwali is associated with the legend of Lord Rama. He went into exile for 14 years, with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman. During his exile, Lord Rama fought a battle with Ravana and defeated him. To mark his victory over evil and the triumphant return to his home, Ayodhya, Diwali is celebrated.
People also link Diwali with Goddess Lakshmi. They worship her, along with Lord Ganesha, to be blessed with good fortune and wisdom in the coming year.
2- Who Celebrates Diwali?
Diwali is a festival celebrated all over India, mostly by Hindus. But it’s also observed by Jains (as Mahavira Nirvana Divas) and Sikhs (as Bandi Chhor Divas). Newar Buddhists of Nepal also celebrate Diwali in almost the same way as Hindus do in Nepal.
3- How Diwali Is Celebrated?
On Diwali, people light diyas, candles, and colorful electric lights in their homes and offices. Flowers and colorful paper cuttings are also used for decoration, along with rangoli designs on floors. Everyone wears new clothes, bursts firecrackers, and eats sweets. Family feasts and community gatherings, too, are organized.
4- When Diwali Is Celebrated?
Diwali is an annual festival that is celebrated in early autumn. The main celebrations are on the third day of the festival. It’s the new moon day (Amavasya) of Kartik month of the Hindu lunar calendar.
As per the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in the second half of October or early November.
5- Where Diwali Is Celebrated?
You can best experience the grandeur of Diwali in India. Different regions have different rituals, food preparations, and the way of celebrations. But wherever you go, you’ll see it as the festival of lights and the victory of good over evil.
Other countries where people celebrate Diwali are Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia, to name a few. Many people in the US and Canada also celebrate it.
6- Why Diwali Is Called the Festival of Lights?
Diwali, or Deepavali, is formed with two words: Deep (clay lamps) and Avali (row). Residents of Ayodhya first observed Diwali to celebrate the return of Lord Rama. They lighted clay lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness. To this day, people follow that tradition to clean their houses and light clay lamps on Diwali. That’s why it is called the festival of lights.
7- How Many Days Diwali is Celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated for 5 days. The third day of which is the day of festive celebrations.
On the first day, Hindus observe Dhanteras, which is a major shopping day. To buy a metallic kitchen utensil, home appliance, or jewelry is considered good luck.
Day two is celebrated as Chhoti Diwali (Little Diwali). It’s the day for festive preparations and shopping for food items and sweets.
The third day of Diwali is the main day for celebration. Everyone decorates their houses and illuminates them with clay lamps and lights. Most Hindus pray to Goddess Lakshmi or Kali as per their beliefs and burst firecrackers in the evening.
The rituals on the fourth day vary across regions. Many business people, though, consider this day a new beginning and pay respect to their ledgers.
The fifth and the last day is observed as Bhai Dooj, celebrating the bond between sisters and brothers.
8- Why Diwali Is Important?
Diwali is important because it is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, as the victory of light over darkness. It is marked as a festival that increases love, brings everyone closer, and fosters brotherhood and unity.
9- How Diwali is Celebrated in India?
Although Diwali is a five-day festival, the preparations begin many days prior to it. People clean their houses and shops thoroughly. They also do renovations if they feel the need and discard old and broken items before the festivities begin.
As Diwali arrives, homes, offices, and shops are decorated with flowers. On the day of Diwali celebrations, every place is illuminated with diyas, candles, and strings of lights. Sweets are shared among friends and relatives, and firecrackers are burst. Food is also a major part of the celebrations as family members prepare and feast on their favorite dishes.
10- What Are Diwali Sweets?
People prepare and consume a variety of sweets during Diwali. Some of the most popular Diwali sweets are Rasgulla, Gulab Jamun, Soan Papdi, Laddoo, and Kaju Katli. Gujiya, Kheer, and Moong Dal Halwa are other common Diwali desserts.
11- How Diwali Is Celebrated in Different States of India?
Diwali is celebrated all across India with some variations in different states.
Here are a few examples to show how diverse Diwali celebrations are:
Uttar Pradesh: Diwali is associated with the return of Lord Rama from his exile. So, everyone follows the tradition of lighting oil lamps and electric lights. Kids enjoy the celebrations by bursting firecrackers.
Punjab: Diwali coincides with the Sikh festival Bandi Chhor Divas. So, Sikhs and Hindus both celebrate by lighting their houses, temples, and gurudwaras, gifting their closed ones, and feasting. Punjabi Hindus also worship Goddess Lakshmi.
Gujarat: Gujarat is the hub for businesses. So, the Dhanteras ritual holds special importance here. People worship Goddess Lakshmi and celebrate Diwali on a grand scale. The Gujarati New Year also coincides with Diwali celebrations.
West Bengal: In Bengal, Goddess Kali is worshipped on the occasion of Diwali. She’s offered sweets, rice, and fish. People also decorate their homes, light diyas, and electric lights, and burst firecrackers.
Odisha: During Diwali, people in Odisha worship Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Kali, and Lord Ganesha. They also remember their ancestors and burn jute sticks to call upon them to seek their blessings.
Maharashtra: On the occasion of Diwali, people decorate their home, worship Goddess Lakshmi, and burst firecrackers. They also observe Padva and celebrate the love of husband and wife.
Goa: Diwali is celebrated as the occasion of Lord Krishna killing the demon Narkasur. Large effigies of Narkasur are erected and burnt on Narakasura Chaturdashi. Many people also apply coconut oil to their bodies to rid themselves of sin.
Tamil Nadu: In Tamil Nadu, people clean their homes and draw Rangoli (or Kolam, as it is called) on the floors. They wake up early and have an oil bath. Then, they wear new clothes and celebrate by bursting crackers and eating sweets.
Conclusion
Diwali, the festival of lights, brings joy and happiness to life. It is a festival of bonding and unity. So it brings everyone closer as they prepare for the rituals and celebrate together. People visit each other, share meals, and enjoy fireworks. Do you have other common FAQs about Diwali to share? Please share them in the comment section.
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