Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali, is a
major festival celebrated over five days
in many parts of India by people of different faiths including many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims and some Buddhists. It is sometimes referred to as “the festival of lights.”
What is Diwali and why is it celebrated?
Diwali is the
five-day Festival of Lights
, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness.
What is the Indian holiday of Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Divali or Deepawali, is a
major festival celebrated over five days
in many parts of India by people of different faiths including many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, Muslims and some Buddhists. It is sometimes referred to as “the festival of lights.”
Is Diwali a Hindu holiday or an Indian holiday?
Diwali, also spelled Divali, one of the major
religious festivals
in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika.
Why is Diwali celebrated in India?
In northern India, Diwali commemorates
Prince Rama's triumphant return to the city of Ayodhya after 14 years of exile
due to the plotting of his evil stepmother—and after a heroic rescue of his wife Sita, an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi, who had been kidnapped by the rival king Ravana.
Is Diwali a winter holiday?
When Is Diwali? Diwali occurs annually in
autumn
(or spring, in the southern hemisphere), during the Hindu month of Kartik. (To put it in Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) Specifically, Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, which is the day of the new Moon.
Do Muslims celebrate Diwali?
Religious significance. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and
Newar Buddhists
, although for each faith it marks different historical events and stories, but nonetheless the festival represents the same symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.
Can non Hindu celebrate Diwali?
Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that's also enjoyed by
non-Hindu communities
. … Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well.
What are the 5 days of Diwali 2020?
- Day 1 – Dhanteras: (November 12, 2020) …
- Day 2 – Naraka Chaturdashi, Chhoti Diwali (Nov 13, 2020) …
- Day 3 – Lakshmi Puja/Kali Puja (Nov 14, 2020) …
- Day 4 – Govardhan Puja (Nov 15, 2020) …
- Day 5 – Bhai Dooj/Vishwakarma Puja (Nov 16, 2020)
What food do you cook for Diwali?
- Samosa. A crispy and spicy samosa is something which nobody can say no to! …
- Aloo Bonda. This streetside snack from South India will surely woo your taste buds! …
- Murukku. …
- Gulab Jamun. …
- Sooji Halwa. …
- Paneer Tikka. …
- Namakpare. …
- Onion Bhaji.
What is the biggest holiday in India?
1.
Diwali-Festival of Lights
. Diwali, or Deepavali, is also known as the Festival of Lights and is India's most anticipated and biggest festival of the year.
Do Sikh celebrate Diwali?
As many people across the world celebrate Diwali,
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chor Divas
, day of liberation. This day is a celebration to remember the history of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji. For Sikhs, the return of their Guru is as significant as the return of Lord Raam is for Hindus.
Which God is for Diwali?
People also celebrate the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi during Diwali. As the goddess of prosperity, wealth and fertility, the romantic Diwali story says that she chose
Lord Vishnu
, one of Hinduism's most important deities, to be her husband on the night of Diwali.
Which city is famous for Diwali?
As one of India's holy cities,
Ayodhya
, especially famous for its connection with Ramayana, is known to ring in the Diwali celebration with utmost grandiose.
What happens each day of Diwali?
Traditionally, each day of Diwali has a different focus.
The first day is usually a shopping day
, especially for gold or silver. The second day is used to decorate the home. The third day is the main day of the festival with fireworks at night and a feast with family and friends.
