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, often lighting special oil lamps called diyas, decorating their homes with colorful rangoli designs, and enjoying delicious foods.

The festival usually happens between mid-October and mid-November and lasts for several days. It marks important stories from religious traditions, such as the return of the hero Rama to his kingdom after defeating a bad king. During Diwali, people also 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 the second half of October and the first half of November. It starts two days before a special new moon night called amāvasyā and ends two days after. The brightest celebration happens on the third day, which is the main Diwali night. This day is an official holiday in many countries, and in India, the other days are also celebrated as holidays in many places. In Nepal, people also celebrate with similar traditions but call the main day either Tihar or Swanti.

History

The five-day long festival of Diwali started in the Indian subcontinent and likely mixed together many harvest festivals from ancient times. Early Sanskrit texts, like the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, written between the 7th and 10th centuries, talk about it. The lamps, called diyas, are described as symbols of the sun, giving 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 in the time of British rule, people continued to celebrate Diwali with lights and special rituals.

Religious significance

Diwali has different meanings in different parts of India. In some places, it marks the return of the hero Rama to his home after defeating a bad king, reminding people to always do what is right. In other places, it celebrates the victory of the god Krishna over a cruel ruler who had hurt many people.

Many Hindus also see 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 overcome difficulties. 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 to remember these important values.

Other religions

Originally a Hindu festival, Diwali is now celebrated by people of many faiths. 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. People prepare for Diwali well in advance, often after the Dusshera festival.

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. Some people massage each other with special oils before sunrise.

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

The fourth day marks the start of the new month. In some places, people honor the story of Krishna saving communities by lifting a mountain. They build small mountains from cow dung and share many dishes.

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. Some communities also honor Vishwakarma, the god of crafts, by cleaning their tools and workplaces.

Other traditions and significance

During Diwali, many villages and towns hold fairs where people can buy goods and enjoy performances. Women often wear beautiful clothes and decorate their hands with special designs. These celebrations are also a part of Sikh traditions and continue today in universities 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 becomes filled with tiny dust and harmful particles. These particles contain chemicals like copper, zinc, sodium, lead, magnesium, and cadmium, as well as pollutants such as oxides of sulfur and nitrogen. This smoke can make it hard to breathe and may cause problems with the eyes, nose, and throat.

During Diwali in 2023, New Delhi had very poor air quality for a short time. Lighting fireworks can also cause burns, especially from a type called anar. Experts suggest being careful around candles and fires and keeping children safely away from flames to enjoy the celebration of Diwali.

Guinness World Record

In October 2025, a Diwali celebration in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, set a new Guinness World Record. They displayed 2,617,615 oil lamps on the night before Diwali, making it the largest such display ever recorded.

UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Diwali has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is the 16th Indian tradition to receive this global honor. Other traditions recognized include Durga Puja and Yoga.