Diwali

Diwali, also called Dipavali, is a joyful festival of lights celebrated by many people, especially those following Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is a time when people remember the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Families come together to celebrate.

People often light special oil lamps called diyas, decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs, and enjoy delicious foods.

The festival usually happens between mid-October and mid-November and lasts for several days. It marks important stories from religious traditions. During Diwali, people may light fireworks, share sweets, and visit with friends and family. Many communities hold parades and fairs to enjoy together.

Diwali is especially meaningful for people living far from their homes, including those in many countries around the world. It is a time for bonding, remembering ancestors, and showing gratitude for prosperity and happiness.

Etymology

Diwali comes from a word called Dipavali, which means "a row of lights". The word Dipavali is made from two older words: "dīpa", meaning a lamp or light, and "āvali", meaning a row or series. So, Diwali means having many lights in a row to make things bright and beautiful.

Dates

Diwali is a five-day celebration that happens every year between late October and early November. It starts two days before a special new moon night called amāvasyā and ends two days after. The biggest celebration is on the third day, which is the main Diwali night. This day is a holiday in many countries. In India, many places also celebrate the other days as holidays. In Nepal, people celebrate with similar traditions but call the main day Tihar or Swanti.

History

Diwali is a five-day festival that started in the Indian subcontinent. It mixes together many old harvest festivals. Early Sanskrit texts, like the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, written between the 7th and 10th centuries, talk about it. Lamps called diyas are symbols of the sun. They give light and energy to all life.

Important leaders and travelers from far away wrote about Diwali. The Persian traveler Al Biruni in the 11th century, and the Venetian traveler Niccolò de' Conti in the 15th century, both described how people lit many oil lamps and celebrated together. Even during British rule, people kept celebrating Diwali with lights and special rituals.

Religious significance

Diwali means different things in different parts of India. In some places, it celebrates the return of a hero named Rama to his home after he defeated a bad king. This reminds people to always do what is right. In other places, it marks the victory of the god Krishna over a cruel ruler.

Many Hindus celebrate Diwali as a time to honor the goddess Lakshmi, who brings wealth and good luck. Some also remember other gods and goddesses who help people. For Jains, Diwali marks the passing of Mahavira, a wise teacher. For Sikhs, it celebrates the freedom of a leader named Guru Hargobind. And for some Buddhists in Nepal, it is a time to pray for good fortune.

No matter the tradition, Diwali is a celebration of light, knowledge, and the triumph of good over evil. It brings people together.

Other religions

Diwali started as a Hindu festival, but now people of many faiths celebrate it. Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists also observe this joyful time, each with their own special stories and traditions. All share the same spirit of light overcoming darkness and good triumphing over evil.

Main article: Bandi Chhor Divas

Celebrations

In the lead-up to Diwali, people clean and decorate their homes with oil lamps called diyas and colorful art called rangolis. During Diwali, people wear their best clothes, light lamps inside and outside their homes, perform special prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, light fireworks, and share tasty sweets and gifts with family.

The main celebration happens on the third day, which is the darkest night of the month. Diwali is also called the festival of lights. It usually happens twenty days after the Vijaydashami festival, starting with Dhanteras. Each day of Diwali has special meanings and traditions.

On Dhanteras, people clean their homes and decorate with rangolis. They light lamps and buy new items like utensils, jewelry, and firecrackers. Families pray to Lakshmi and share special foods.

The second day, Naraka Chaturdashi, is a time for buying sweets and visiting friends.

The third day, Lakshmi Pujan, is the height of the festival. Families gather for prayers to Lakshmi, wear new clothes, and light lamps. After prayers, they light fireworks and share a feast with sweets.

The fourth day marks the start of the new month.

The last day, Bhai Duj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for their brothers’ well-being and feed them, receiving gifts in return.

Other traditions and significance

During Diwali, many villages and towns hold fairs where people can buy goods and enjoy shows. Women often wear pretty clothes and decorate their hands with special designs. These celebrations are also part of Sikh traditions and continue today in schools and communities around the world, with music, dancing, food, and crafts.

Diwali is also a busy time for shopping and buying gifts. It is a special time for families to purchase new things like clothes, jewelry, and sweets. In 2025, the state of California made Diwali an official state holiday.

Hazards

See also: Firecrackers in India and Fireworks safety

When people light firecrackers during Diwali, the air can get filled with tiny dust and harmful particles. These particles have chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, magnesium, and cadmium. This smoke can make it hard to breathe and may bother the eyes, nose, and throat.

During Diwali in 2023, New Delhi had poor air quality for a little while. Lighting fireworks can sometimes cause burns. Experts suggest being careful around candles and fires and keeping children away from flames to enjoy Diwali safely.

Guinness World Record

In October 2025, people in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, set a new Guinness World Record. They lit over two million oil lamps the night before Diwali, the most ever.

UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Diwali is on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is the 16th Indian tradition to get this special award. Other traditions on the list are Durga Puja and Yoga.