Diwali 2024
Published: 31st October 2024
This week is the celebration of Diwali, a triumph of light over darkness and the start of new beginnings for the millions of people who celebrate it. Here's what you need to know about Diwali.
Diwali runs over five days
The festival tends to fall between October and November, but the exact date varies each year. Each day has a different meaning and, in 2024, the main date of celebration is Thursday 31st October 2024
On the first day of Diwali, people pray to the goddess Lakshmi, bake sweets, and clean their homes—which they decorate the next day with lamps and rangolis, designs made on the floor out of coloured sand, powder, rice or flower petals.
Diwali’s third day is its most important: On this day, people may go to the temple to honour Lakshmi or gather with friends and family for feasts and fireworks. Devotees also set ablaze the lamps they had displayed the day before.
For many celebrants, the fourth day of Diwali marks the new year and a time to exchange gifts and well wishes. Finally, the fifth day is typically a day to honour one’s siblings.
It's best known as the Festival of Lights
The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means "rows of lighted lamps".
Homes and streets tend to be decorated with small oil lamps called diyas, with the light supposed to help Lakshmi - goddess of wealth and good fortune - find her way into people's homes.
Each religion celebrates for different reasons
For Hindus, it marks the beginning of the New Year and is about the return of deities Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.
The festival is known as Bandi Chhor Divas for Sikhs, celebrating the release of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh from prison in 1619.
For Jains, it's about the moment Jainism founder Lord Mahavira reached a state of being known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.
It is a time when traditions are followed
Homes are cleaned, new clothes are worn and prayers are said. Outside their homes, people draw rangolis - traditional designs made using colourful powders - to bring good luck and positivity into their lives.
The festival provides an occasion for families to come together
People visit friends and family, with sweets, gifts and good wishes being exchanged.
Some of the festive dishes enjoyed include puri (fried bread), paneer and gulab jamun - with celebrations for many being rounded off in style by lighting fireworks.