What is Diwali and Deepawali Festival
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is celebrated on New Moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik. Diwali is also known as Dīpapratipadotsava, meaning festival of light.
This is the biggest festival celebrated by Hindus and on a very vast scale. Diwali is a festival of 5 days but two days are the main or core Diwali celebrations.
These two days are Choti Diwali celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi and Badi Diwali as Lakshmi Puja.
Story Behind Celebrating What is Deepawali and Diwali Festival
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is widely celebrated across the Indian continent. Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, etc have their Folklore for the celebration of Diwali. However, more or less it is celebrated similarly and the most common ritual is lighting oil lamps in mud diyas.
Another folklore is about Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who took various forms on this planet to save dharma. Demon Narakasura was king of Pragjyotihpur.
He had imprisoned 16000 daughters of various gods. It is also said that Narakasura snatched the valuable earrings of Goddess Aditi. On the day before Naraka Chaturdashi, Lord Krishna defeated Narakasura and freed 16000 girls.
Choti Diwali is also known as Bali Pratipada. King Bali was a very powerful king. All gods feared that he would conquer all the three lokas. He would rule them in a very biased manner.
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So, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana visited the king. King called him a beggar and said that he would give anything he begged for.
Lord Vishnu in the form of Vamana very smartly said that he wants a 3-foot space in his kingdom. Vamana covered all three lokas in two-foot steps and asked King Bali where he should put his third foot.
King Bali accepted his defeat and said put it on my head. This Lord Vishnu conquered his head. This story shows victory over greed.
Many Hindu folklores goes around the celebration of Diwali and its first occurrence. As per Folklore, it is believed that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after his victory with Ravan.
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The day he returned was an evening of a new moon with darkness all around. To overcome this darkness, the whole of Ayodhya was lit up with oil lamps for the welcome of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman. This celebration and worship of Goddess Lakshmi is called Badi Diwali.
As per Jainism, Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated as “Mahavira Nirvana Divas”. This day marks the physical death and nirvana of Mahavira.
Jains celebrate Diwali similar to Hindus by lighting many lamps in remembrance of the great light of Mahavira. Sikhs celebrate Diwali to commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind by Mughal Emperor Jehangir from Gwalior Fort and the day he arrived at the Golden Temple.
There are many Folklore which go along with a celebration of Diwali with the way of celebration remaining more or less the same.
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What is the Deepawali and Diwali Festival Puja Ritual
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is a five-day festival starting with Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Govardhan Puja or Bali Pratipada or Padwa and Bhai Dooj. The main days of Diwali are Choti Diwali and Badi Diwali.
Choti Diwali is to celebrate the defeat of evil over good, while Badi Diwali is a celebration of Goddess Lakshmi. On Choti Diwali, people wake up early. Everyone has to bathe before sunrise and lit firecrackers.
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Then the whole family visit the temple and sit together to eat savouries and sweets. People visit each other on this day. Newlywed couples are given gifts on this day.
On Badi Diwali, it is the night of new moon day. The auspicious time for Puja is the evening. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber are worshipped this evening. A table or a patha is placed in Puja Ghar or in front of Puja Ghar to organize Puja.
In some regions, people buy Lakshmi coins and worship Lakshmi in that form. There are various Prasad given to god.
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Many savouries such as chivda, chakli, kadboli, gujiya, and laddu, are prepared for the evening and a plate full of these savouries is kept as prasad.
Five different fruits are also offered. Another Prasad is Rice/Kheel/Lahya and batasha or sugar cake.
All the youngsters visit elders to seek their blessings. Newly wedded couples are given gifts by the bride and groom’s family. The house is cleaned before the festival. The front yard is cleaned and rangoli is drawn.
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Lanterns are lit in the evening and lots of oil lamps are lit to overcome the darkness of new moon day. After Puja, friends and family visit each other and share the savouries.
Everyone wears new clothes and jewellery. Family members lit up firecrackers to ward off the evil spirits and inauspicious things. The light and sound of crackers add up to a festive mood.
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What are Diwali and Deepawali Festivals ‘ Common Beliefs
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is believed to be celebrated to overcome the darkness of new moon night. It is considered auspicious to start any new ventures. It is also believed to take new things on the occasion of Diwali.
Diwali is the greatest festival in India, and generally, companies give bonuses to all employees. In some places, people even play cards as a good omen which is otherwise considered bad.
This festival has a huge economic turnaround which is similar to turnover during Christmas. This is a time when people buy new clothes, jewellery, articles, and furniture.
Fireworks sales itself are very large and contribute to the economic turnaround. People generally wait for this period for some growth and prosperity.
Special Food Items on Deepawali and Diwali Festival
Diwali is the biggest Indian festival. A variety of sweets and namkeen or savouries are prepared. The food items change as per state.
Some of the food items prepared are Anarse in Maharashtra, Boondi ke laddu in Uttar Pradesh, Babroo in Himachal Pradesh, Narikoul Laru in Assam, Chodo shaak in West Bengal, Gavvalu in Andra Pradesh, Mawa kachori in Rajasthan, Shufta in Kashmir, Chirote in Karnataka and many more such sweet dishes.
Apart from these, there are various savouries such as chorafalli, chakli, kadboli, karanji, chivda, mohanthal, kaju katli, balushahi, imrati and many more such dishes.
Deepawali and Diwali Festival Quotes
Here are some quotes about Diwali, the Festival of Lights
- “May the diyas you light in Diwali illuminate your life with happiness and prosperity.”
- “Diwali is not just a festival of lights, but a celebration of knowledge, victory, and the triumph of good over evil.”
- “Let the sweet glow of diyas fill your home with warmth and love, and the crackling sound of mithai bring joy to your heart.”
- “On this auspicious occasion, may Goddess Lakshmi shower you with her blessings of wealth, health, and happiness.”
- “Diwali is a time to forgive and forget, to mend broken relationships, and to start afresh.”
- “In the flickering light of diyas, may we find the light within ourselves.”
- “Happy Diwali! May your life be as bright and beautiful as the lights of Diwali.”
- “Diwali reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the light of hope will always shine.”
- “Let us celebrate Diwali not just with lights and sweets, but with acts of kindness and compassion.”
- “May the spirit of Diwali bring peace, love, and light to your world.”
We hope these quotes help you capture the essence of Diwali! Let’s all be thankful for the light and joy that this festival brings. Happy Diwali!
Diwali and Deepawali A Global Festival of Lights: FAQ
What is the Diwali festival
Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated on New Moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik. Diwali is also known as Dīpapratipadotsava, meaning festival of light.
This is the biggest festival celebrated by Hindus and on a very vast scale. Diwali is a festival of 5 days but two days are the main or core Diwali celebrations.
These two days are Choti Diwali celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi and Badi Diwali as Lakshmi Puja.
Diwali 2024 puja date and time
Friday, November 1, 2024
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 41 Mins
Diwali Laxmi puja 2024 time
Friday, November 1, 2024
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 41 Mins
Why Diwali is celebrated
it is believed that Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after his victory with Ravan.
The day he returned was an evening of a new moon with darkness all around. To overcome this darkness, the whole of Ayodhya was lit up with oil lamps for the welcome of Lord Ram, Goddess Sita and Lakshman. This celebration and worship of Goddess Lakshmi is called Badi Diwali.
Dev deepawali 2024 date
On Friday, November 15, 2024
Pradoshkal Dev Diwali Muhurat – 05:10 PM to 07:47 PM
Duration – 02 hours 37 minutes
Deepawali muhurat 2024 time
Friday, November 1, 2024
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 41 Mins
When is Diwali
Friday, November 1, 2024
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 41 Mins
Who celebrates Diwali
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is widely celebrated across the Indian continent. Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, etc have their Folktales for the celebration of Diwali. However, more or less it is celebrated similarly and the most common ritual is lighting oil lamps in mud diyas.
How to celebrate Diwali
1. Wake up early. Everyone has to bathe before sunrise.
2. Then the whole family visit the temple and sit together to eat savouries and sweets.
3. People visit each other on this day. Newlywed couples are given gifts on this day.
4. The auspicious time for Puja is evening. Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuber are worshipped this evening.
5. In some regions, people buy Lakshmi coins and worship Lakshmi in that form. There are various Prasad given to god.
6. Many savouries such as chivda, chakli, kadboli, gujiya, and laddu, are prepared for the evening and a plate full of these savouries is kept as prasad.
7. Five different fruits are also offered. Another Prasad is Rice/Kheel/Lahya and batasha or sugar cake.
8. Lanterns are lit in the evening and lots of oil lamps are lit to overcome the darkness of a new moon day.
9. After Puja, friends and family visit each other and share the savouries.
10. Everyone wears new clothes and jewellery. Family members lit up firecrackers to ward off the evil spirits and inauspicious things. The light and sound of crackers add up to a festive mood.
When is Diwali celebrated
Diwali or Deepawali is celebrated on New Moon day in the Hindu calendar month of Karthik.
Friday, November 1, 2024
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 05:36 PM to 06:16 PM
Duration – 00 Hours 41 Mins
What does Diwali mean
Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is believed to be celebrated to overcome the darkness of new moon night. It is considered auspicious to start any new ventures. It is also believed to take new things on the occasion of Diwali.
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated
1. Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is believed to be celebrated to overcome the darkness of new moon night. It is considered auspicious to start any new ventures. It is also believed to take new things on the occasion of Diwali.
2. Diwali or Deepawali Festival of Lights is widely celebrated across the Indian continent. Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Buddhism, etc have their Folktales for the celebration of Diwali. However, more or less it is celebrated similarly and the most common ritual is lighting oil lamps in mud diyas.
Diwali 2025 puja date and time
Monday, October 20, 2025
Lakshmi Puja Muhurat – 07:08 PM to 08:18 PM
Duration – 01 Hour 11 Mins
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