As seasons change, there will be a festival of light that is called Diwali. This is something that people all around the world will celebrate. People that will celebrate this festival are Hindu, Jain, and Sikh people.
This is India’s biggest festival, and this is a Sanskrit word that says “Deepavali” which means “lighted lamps.” The festival is sometimes called Deepavali or Dipawali.
Sometimes people compare this festival to Halloween because they light things like jack-o-lanterns and they use the lights to symbolize the light inside of them and getting rid of darkness in the spirit. The lamps will be lit and will stay lit for days and this will give them energy.
During the time of harvest, the good will win and the evil will be conquered.
Celebration of Diwali
People that are famous will celebrate Diwali and it is meant to help them to celebrate the gods such as Sita and Rama who have come after being exiled. It will also celebrate Mother Goddess Durga and it helps with the spiritual awakening that people have.
Mahavira showed them that having a good attitude and worshiping the gods was a way to honor freedom and to help those to have peace and light in their life.
When Is Diwali?
Diwali takes place for five days from the end of October to the beginning of November. This is a five-day celebration, and it works with the New Moon and begins in Kartika.
When the New Moon comes, the Hindus believe that the goddess Lakshmi was born and that it is time to worship her and to show her love and kindness.
This is a time where they make a lot of noise, and they sing and clap.
Celebrating Diwali
They will worship the goddess Lakshmi and will give her things for the new year. They will light lamps and they will set off fireworks.
During this time, they will eat meat abut they will not drink alcohol. Gifts are given to people in their families, and they buy their employees gifts and even clothing.
Gifts of Diwali
If you want to give someone a gift during Diwali, some things you can give include:
- Food
- Candles
- Sweets
- Homemade items
- Gift baskets
- Money
One thing that you cannot do during this time is to borrow money and you must clean your home so that you can get the blessings.
What to Know
The first day of the Diwali festival is called Dhanteras and it is the thirteenth day of the second half of the lunar month. This is considered a lucky day and people often buy:
- Sliver
- Coins
- Gold
- Vehicles
- Utensils
- Knives
- Sweets
This is a time where people think they can have wealth.
During the celebration, the people will make footprints out of rice flower and put them at the front entrance of their house. This is welcoming the goddess Lakshmi and it is a custom to pray for the home to be purified during this time.
Ending Celebration
When the celebration is two days into it, I twill have stories and they will talk about Yamraja and Yamuna and tell stories of them and free them from their sins.
Sharing Love
This festival is meant to share love and to give gifts to the people in India. There will be different colors used during this holiday such as green and red. The candles will be lit, and it will enter them into the new year or the festival of light.
The practice of giving gifts during Diwali, including practical items like food, candles, and utensils, underscores the festival’s emphasis on generosity and community. It’s a holistic approach to celebration, integrating material and spiritual aspects.
The notion of cleaning the home to receive blessings during Diwali is similar to other cultural practices that emphasize purity and preparation for important spiritual events. It reflects a universal human tendency to seek cleanliness in conjunction with auspicious occasions.
The account of Diwali’s timing and its alignment with lunar cycles offers a glimpse into how traditional festivals are intertwined with natural phenomena. It’s a reminder of the deep connection between cultural practices and the environment.
The detailed description of Diwali provides a good insight into the significance and traditions of this culturally rich festival. It’s interesting to see how the festival connects with themes of light and spiritual awakening.
The comparison to Halloween is intriguing, though the festivals have different cultural contexts. Diwali’s focus on light and the defeat of darkness as a metaphor is quite profound.