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Diwali is the most important festival of the year India – and for Hindus especially.
It is celebrated by over a billion people across different religions in the world’s most populous country and diaspora. For five days, people participate in festive ceremonies, fireworks displays, feasts and prayers.
The word Diwali is derived from “Deepavali”, which means “row of lights.” Celebrants light traditional kerosene lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.
Diwali date is based on Hindu lunar calendar
The festival dates are based on the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in late October or early November.
This year, the holiday is being celebrated on October 20.
underlying theme of diwali
While Diwali is a major religious festival for Hindus, it is also celebrated SikhsJain and Buddhist. The origin story of Diwali varies depending on the region. All these stories have an underlying theme – the victory of good over evil.
In southern India, Diwali celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna by destroying the demon Naraka, who was said to imprison women and torment his subjects. In North India, Diwali honors the triumphant return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana from their 14-year exile in the forest.
Festivities include lights, fireworks, feasts
The festival brings with it many unique traditions, which vary by region. Lights, fireworks, feasting, new clothes and prayers are the same in all celebrations.
-In Southern India, many people take a warm oil bath early in the morning to symbolize bathing in the sacred Ganges River as a form of physical and spiritual purification.
—In the North, it is ideal to worship Goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.
Gambling is a popular tradition as there is a belief that whoever gambles on Diwali night will be prosperous throughout the year. Many people buy gold on the first day of Diwali, known as Dhanteras – they believe doing so will bring them good luck.
Bursting crackers is a cherished tradition, as well as exchanging sweets and gifts among friends and family. Diwali celebrations typically feature rangoli, which are geometric, floral patterns created on the floor using colored powder. While several northern states had imposed partial or complete bans to combat rising air pollution levels during the festival, the Supreme Court of India recently ruled to allow the sale of “green fireworks” considered less polluting.
Some other religions have their own Diwali stories
Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs have their own Diwali stories:
-Jains celebrate Diwali as the day when Lord Mahavira, the last of the great teachers, attained Nirvana, which is freedom from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
-Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Diwas – a day that overlaps with Diwali – to celebrate the release of Guru Hargobind, an icon of the faith who was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir.
-Buddhists celebrate the day as the day the Hindu emperor Ashoka, who ruled in the 3rd century BC, converted to Buddhism.
New in 2025: California Makes Diwali an official state holiday
On October 7, California became the third US state to designate Diwali as an official statewide holiday.
The law, which will take effect on January 1, will authorize public schools and community colleges to close on Diwali. State employees can choose to take a day off and public school students will receive an excused absence to celebrate the holiday. The new law recognizes that Diwali is also celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
pennsylvania It was the first US state to make Diwali a statewide holiday in 2024, followed by Connecticut earlier this year. In June 2023, New York City officially declared Diwali a public school holiday. Many school districts in New Jersey also observe a day off.
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Associated Press religion coverage is supported by the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from the Lilly Endowment Inc. AP is solely responsible for this content.