Diwali is a 5 day festival to celebrate the victory of good over evil. This festival is usually celebrated in mid-October to mid-November in many countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia and Nepal, or countries with large Indian communities such as Canada, England, South Africa and New Zealand.
Just as Christians regard Christmas as an important day, Diwali is a festival full of meaning for Hindus. Apart from Hinduism, other sects that celebrate this festival are Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. Whatever your belief, you can join in celebrating this festival which is also known as the “Festival of Lights”.
Step
Step 1. Find out the meaning of Diwali
Diwali is also called Deepavali, “deep” means “light” or “lamp”, and “avail” means “line.” The “line of light” is characterized by lights burning all over during Diwali. The reasons for celebrating Diwali vary and can be read in “Suggestions”. Diwali is celebrated for three to five days (duration depends on where you are from or the tradition of celebration in each region):
- The thirteenth day of the Poornima (full moon) (Dhantrayodashi or Dhanteras). This is the beginning of Diwali. “Dhan” means “prosperity” and “terrace” means “thirteenth day”. This day is a tribute to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. In some places in India, lights are left on in honor of Lord Yamaraj, the god of death.
- The fourteenth day (Chhoti Diwali or Narak chaturdashi). Today Hindus remember when Lord Krishna destroyed the demon Narakasur, freeing the world from fear. Usually firecrackers are lit from today.
- The first day of the crescent moon (Diwali/Lakshmi puja/Lakshmipujan) of the two dark weeks of Ashwin month. It is the first day of Diwali, and is the most important day. If the house has not been cleaned, it must be cleaned immediately in the morning to welcome the arrival of Goddess Lakshmi. Today people exchange gifts and sweet dishes to strengthen the bonds of love between family and friends. Firecrackers are lit at dinner.
- The first day of the fortnight of light in the month of Kartik (Balipratipada/Padiwa/Govardhan puja/Varshapratipada). This is the day Lord Krishna exalted Govardhan Parvat to protect the people of Gokul from the wrath of Indra and the coronation of King Vikramaditya.
- The fifth and last day of the Diwali festival (Bhai Dooj/Bhaiya Dooj). On the last day of Diwali, female and male bloodlines renew the bond of brotherhood by means of girls smearing red marks on their brothers' foreheads and wishing them long life, while boys bless their sisters and give gifts.
- Not everyone celebrates the thirteenth day, and other sacred festivals namely Vasubaras and Bhaubij are celebrated before Diwali, only after Diwali.
Step 2. Shop
According to tradition, people shop for utensils and decorations on the first day of Diwali.
Step 3. Clean your house and place of business before the first day of Diwali or Dhanteras
Washing clothes, cleaning the room and sorting documents both at home and in the office. It's a kind of total cleansing, a "cleansing" ritual that frees you from the unimportant things around you.
Draw small feet using rice flour and vermilion powder in your home; this is a sign that you are waiting for the arrival of the Goddess
Step 4. Decorate the entrance to your home or business in a colorful way with traditional Rangoli patterns
The decorations used include bells, garlands, wall hangings, mirrors, LED lights, etc. It is the joy of welcoming the arrival of the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Rangoli styles can be searched online, or you can view suggestions here.
Step 5. Try different types of Rangoli
Available ready made Rangoli made of wood. This type is made of very light wood which is made and colored by hand. There are so many ways to organize them. So let your creativity flow and create your own pattern (or you can check out an example here).
Step 6. Turn on the lights all night during the festival
In the evening, light small oil lamps (called “diyas”) and place them around the house. Light all the lights and some candles. The lamp is a symbol of knowledge or one's inner light that displays inner peace and resistance to traces of darkness and ignorance.
Step 7. Set off firecrackers and fireworks
These two things are a common part of Diwali as a symbol of exorcism from your environment. Usually firecrackers and fireworks are lit in large numbers right at the peak of the Diwali festival (the third day).
- If setting off your own firecrackers, please be careful and follow all safety instructions.
- Watch out for noisy firecrackers.
- Protect pets and children indoors and away from crowds and scary noises.
Step 8. Put on new clothes and jewelry on the second and third day
If you are a girl, wear a sari, a traditional Indian dress for women which is a cloth that is beautifully wrapped around the waist and crossed over the left shoulder. Women can also wear a salwar-kurta (Indian tunic with trousers/tights and a long scarf/scarf).
Men usually wear kurtas, the traditional Indian dress for men. The dress consists of a knee-length silk or cotton tunic (usually embroidered with embroidery) and trousers
Step 9. Prepare sweet and savory snacks
Both are traditional offerings in Diwali and are given as gifts. Here are some snack suggestions:
- Making rangoli
- Makes 7 cups of burfi
- Making kulfi
- Making pongal
- Making rasgullas
- Making jalebi
- Making Gajar Ka halvah
- For other ideas, please visit.article on Indian food recipes.
Step 10. Serve the vegetarian dish
For many Indians, Diwali is a meatless holiday. There is no specific type of dish, so there are many options available but it is important to include sweets as Diwali is always about sweets. Suggestions of dishes that can be served during Diwali can be found at.
Step 11. Perform “Lakshmi pooja”
The ritual performed on this Diwali (third day) aims to seek divine blessings from the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, who always helps those who are struggling to get it. It consists of elaborate rituals that use seeds, leaves, coins, and statues to prepare for the ceremony. During this ritual, you can pray to the Goddess by chanting a Vedic mantra or by imagining the Goddess bathed in gold coins flanked by two elephants while praising her name. Offerings are made and at the end of the ritual, the aarti is performed in silence and a peaceful atmosphere pervades the entire ritual.
Step 12. Play the game
Games are part of the Diwali festival for example rummy cards, charades cards, prize relay, race for seats, race for requested items, hide and seek, etc. Games are not just for kids but for everyone!
Betting money in card games is fine but don't bet too big
Step 13. Love your brother
Brothers and sisters strengthen the bonds of brotherly love and take care of each other on the last day of Diwali. Cook food for your sibling, give gifts to your sister, and tell your brother that you love him and wish him a long life.
Step 14. Follow the Diwali celebration in a crowded place
Even if you are not a Hindu, Buddhist, Jainist or Sikh, you can still join in the Diwali celebrations held in a public place. For example, in New Zealand in both the capital Wellington and Auckland, and other cities, the Diwali festival is held for the public and everyone is welcome to visit. Come and watch the activities going on, join in the fun, and celebrate with everyone.
- Attend public music concerts, parties, celebratory events and banquets for Diwali.
- Pray that everyone experiences Diwali which brings happiness and prosperity.
Suggestion
- Be careful when setting off firecrackers.
- There are several names for this festival: Diwali, Divali, Devali, Deepavali. This depends on the venue and your region of origin. In many English-speaking countries where Indians live, this festival is better known as Diwali.
- Diwali signifies a renewed life, so starting a new project or venture during the celebration is expected to be successful.
- Diwali has been widely accepted. In 1999, with the forehead marked “tilak”, Pope John Paul II offered a special eucharistic celebration in a church in India with an altar decorated with Diwali lights. He gave a sermon on the festival of lights. United States Senate resolution 299 recognizing the "religious and historic elements of the Diwali festival" was unanimously approved on November 4, 2007.
- The legend behind the game with money betting on Diwali is the story of Goddess Parvati who played dice with her husband, Lord Shiva and stated that anyone who bet money on Diwali night would have prosperity throughout the year.
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Here are some backgrounds to celebrate Diwali:
- In northern India, people celebrate Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and the coronation of Rama as king.
- In Gujarat, people revere Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Lakshmi is believed to be a benevolent goddess who brings prosperity in the coming year if she visits a house, and the lamps are meant to attract the goddess to stop by.
- In Bengal, Kali, the Goddess of Time, is worshiped.
Warning
- Do not place the diya in a place that is prone to fire or within the reach of children and pets.
- Children setting off firecrackers should be supervised by adults.
- Some places, regions, states, and cities don't allow firecrackers to be set off because it's an illegal activity, so research the regulations before buying a firecracker.
- Card games with stakes are played just for fun; in no way is it meant for you to risk all the money.
