It is determined by the Indian calendar and the dates of celebration change every year. It's been 11 years since we celebrated Diwali at our family homes back in India, but that will never stop us from feeling at home, celebrating traditions, and embracing it. Fireworks are often set off in the evening to celebrate Diwali. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. "Deepawali" and "Dipawali" redirect here. This year's date of celebration starts November 14, 2020. On the Gregorian calendar, the festival falls between October and November. It is a national holiday in India which marks its independence from the United Kingdom on August 15, 1947. 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. 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. [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.) Illustrative Islamic records, states Stephen Blake, include those of 16th-century Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi who wrote, "during Diwali. the ignorant ones amongst Muslims, particularly women, perform the ceremonies they celebrate it like their own Id and send presents to their daughters and sisters,. they attach much importance and weight to this season [of Diwali]. Diwali is the biggest holiday of the year in India. Diwali for the year 2022 is observed on 24 October, which falls on a Monday. Next year (2024) November 1 (Friday) Last year (2022) October 24 (Monday) This holiday gets its name from the rows of clay lamps that Indians light just outside their houses. 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. [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). In 2023, Diwali is on November 12. When Is Diwali (Deepavali)? 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? It's observed on the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. A diya that is filled with sesame oil is lit at back of their homes facing in the southern direction. Facts about Diwali 1) Diwali is an important religious festival originating in India. Jean Mead, How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, "2022 Diwali Puja Calendar, Deepavali Puja Calendar for New Delhi, NCT, India", "Diwali 2020 Date in India: When is Diwali in 2020? [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. Diwali's date is determined by the India calendar and changes every year, ranging from October to November. Amavasya is thought of as the darkest night of the year and is holy to Hindus. [171][172] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister. It is commemorated on the 15th day of Kartik, the Hindu calendar's holiest month. The Hindu calendar is based on both the sun and moon (while the Gregorian calendar is only based on the sun). Holi Dates: When is Holi in 2021, 2022 and 2023? In India, the holiday always falls on the 15th of Kartik, the first month of the Hindu lunar calendar . Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. [31][32][33] The main day of the festival of Diwali (the day of Lakshmi Puja) is an official holiday in Fiji,[34] Guyana,[35] India, Malaysia,[a][36] Mauritius, Myanmar,[37] Nepal,[38] Pakistan,[39] Singapore,[40] Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahaviras holy knowledge. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to their employees between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan. 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. As per India's official holiday calendar, Diwali in 2020 will be on Saturday, November 14, coinciding with the 15th day of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar. [41], Diwali (English: /dwli/)[9] or Divali[44] is from the Sanskrit dpvali meaning "row or series of lights". [109] Textual evidence suggests that Bengali Hindus worshipped Lakshmi before the colonial era, and that the Kali puja is a more recent phenomenon. [56][57] Rajasekhara referred to Deepavali as Dipamalika in his 9th-century Kavyamimamsa, wherein he mentions the tradition of homes being whitewashed and oil lamps decorated homes, streets and markets in the night. The dates change each year because they are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, but it typically happens in October and November. Sikhs historically referred to this festival as Diwali. The third day is the day of Lakshmi Puja and the darkest night of the traditional month. [125], Some Hindus observe Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya) on the second day of Diwali, instead of the first day. The word Deepawali comes from the Sanskrit word deep, which means an Indian lantern/lamp. In Australia, over one million Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs celebrate versions of the festival, which include Tihar and Bandi Chhor Diwas. [12] Chhoti Diwali is also a day for visiting friends, business associates and relatives, and exchanging gifts. This event is free and UCF students of all backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Diwali/Deepavali is a public holiday. Diwali was celebrated as a signifier of triumph of good over evil after Krishna's Victory over Narakasura. Learn Religions. [116] The term Dhan for this day also alludes to the Ayurvedic icon Dhanvantari, the god of health and healing, who is believed to have emerged from the "churning of cosmic ocean" on the same day as Lakshmi. Dipa oil lamps are often lit for Diwali celebrations. [101] According to J.S. Make sure you check the dates online if you plan on visiting India during Diwali. The date of the five day festival changes every year in accordance with the Hindu and lunar calendar. [167] In 2020, the INDF ETF was launched to mark the start of Diwali. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. [23][140] According to one tradition, the day is associated with the story of Bali's defeat at the hands of Vishnu. [176], Every year during Diwali, Indian forces approach their Pakistani counterparts at the border bearing gifts of traditional Indian confectionery, a gesture that is returned in kind by the Pakistani soldiers who give Pakistani sweets to the Indian soldiers. A solar calendar (like the Gregorian one) has an average of 365.24 days. Every occasion represents two main things: 1. The Diwali-related inscription is the 4th inscription and it includes the year Vikrama Era 1268 (c. 1211 CE). In 2022, Diwali is on Monday 24 October. In 2022, the five days of Diwali begin on October 22, with the most important festival date taking place on October 24. It's celebrated across five days with the day of Diwali observed on the new moon or Amavasya. [117] Some Hindus observe Yama Deepa on the second night before the main day of Diwali.[118][119]. [98][99] This traditional belief of the origin of Diwali, and its significance to Jains, is reflected in their historic artworks such as paintings. However, in South India, the festival is observed as the defeat of Narakasura. [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. The Catholic dicastery Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, founded as Secretariat for non-Christians by Pope Paul VI, began sending official greetings and the Pope's message to the Hindus on Diwali in the mid-1990s. The festival of Diwali commemorates the return of Lord Rama to his kingdom after defeating Ravana. For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death (samsara). [124] Many visit their favourite Hindu temple. The exact date changes every year because the Hindu calendar is lunar. During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. [116], On Yama Deepam (also known as Yama Dipadana or Jam ke Diya), Hindus light a diya, ideally made of wheat flour and filled with sesame oil, that faces south in the back of their homes. The Diwali festival actually runs for five days, with the main event happening on the third day in most places in India. [110] Some regions of India start Diwali festivities the day before Dhanteras with Govatsa Dwadashi. Hindus celebrating Diwali in India. This day marks the beginning of deepawali celebrations. The auspicious time to conduct Lakshmi Puja will begin at 6:09 pm and end at 8:04 pm, according to the Drik Panchang. 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. This is believed to please Yama (Yamraj), the god of death, and to ward off untimely death. Many participate in other socio-political events as a symbol of support for diversity and inclusiveness. Spread joy. [28][29][30], Diwali is also a major cultural event for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diaspora. ", Christopher H. Johnson, Simon Teuscher & David Warren Sabean 2011, India Journal: Tis the Season to be Shopping, Pakistan parliament adopts resolution for Holi, Diwali, Easter holidays, "The Svanti Festival: Victory over Death and the Renewal of the Ritual Cycle in Nepal", "Diwali Festival 2020 India:Date,Story,Celebration,Diwali Special Gift", "Krishna Killed Narakasur - The Narakasur Legend of Diwali - Diwali Legend", Diwali Celebrating the triumph of goodness, "2020 Yama Deepam date and timings for New Delhi, NCT, India", "The 'Yam-deep' or 'Jam ke Deeya' SWAHA International", "Significance of Yama Deepam on Diwali Eve", "Choti Diwali 2020 date: Kali Chaudas significance, when and how to celebrate", "2020 Hanuman Puja date and time during Diwali for New Delhi, NCT, India", If You Missed Diwali in India, Dallas Is the Place to Be, Manchester Dashehra and Diwali Mela plans announced, Festive season to boost India gold buying, India's banks face pre-Diwali cash crunch, Diwali lights up consumer spending, festive spirit beats inflation, Fear Of Toxic Smog Leads India To Limit Diwali Fireworks, Firework Facts: Americans Incinerate $1 Billion in July Fourth Fireworks Every Year, Oneline sales may surpass Rs 30000 crores in festive months, Average family to spend Rs. Diwali as a new-moon day, marks the last day of a 15-day period. [81], Many Hindus associate the festival with Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and wife of Vishnu.