Diwali—Festival of Lights (2024)

FAQs

Why is Diwali known as the festival of lights answer? ›

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Diwali is often called the 'Festival of Lights', and is celebrated by lighting lamps, and bursting crackers and fireworks. It is a festival which commemorates the victorious return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after saving his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

Diwali is derived from the word “Deepavali,” which means “a row of lights.” Celebrants light rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

During Diwali, people wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with saaki (earthen lamp), diyas and rangoli, perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, light fireworks, and partake in family feasts, where mithai (sweets) and gifts are shared.

Diwali is the festival of lights falls every year in the month of October or November. And, according to the Hindu calendar, it falls in the month of Ashwin. Diwali is also known as Deepawali in some regions of the country because we lit row of diyas or candle in the night of festival.

In southern India, Diwali celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna's destruction of the demon Naraka who is said to have imprisoned women and tormented his subjects. In northern India, Diwali honors the triumphant return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana, from a 14-year exile in the forest.

Diwali is called the Festival of Lights. We clean our homes thoroughly before this festival. On the day of the festival, we light diyas and pray. We decorate our homes with colourful rangolis, marigold garlands, and many lights.

According to it, Diwali marks the day Rama, Sita and Lakshmana return to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. Exiled by his own father King Dasharatha, Rama, his wife Sita and his brother, Laxmana, face various hardships as they travel through the forests. In exile, Sita is kidnapped by the powerful demon king Ravana.

Diwali, also spelled Divali, is one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.

How do you celebrate Diwali festival of lights? ›

One of the ways people celebrate Diwali is by decorating their homes with colourful rangoli designs, lighting diyas or displaying lights around the house. Many people clean their homes, and buy gold or silver items for luck and good fortune. People also celebrate by lighting fireworks or sparklers.

"Diwali is a festival which is not just celebrated by Hindus, but by Sikhs and Jains. It is the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, as represented in the story of Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. It reminds us that no matter how difficult things might seem, the good will always win in the end.

Often referred to as the festival of lights, (or Deepavali in south India), Diwali is a time for religious rituals and sharing traditional stories. It's also an opportunity to spruce up the home, buy new clothes, and, of course, enjoy parties, feasting and an exchange of gifts.

Divali, or Diwali, In Hinduism, a five-day religious festival in autumn. It honors Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, or, in Bengal, the goddess Kali. During its celebration, earthenware lamps are lit and placed on the parapets of houses and temples or set adrift on rivers and streams.

Diwali signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It marks the eradication of dark shadows, negativity and doubts from our lives. The festival promotes the message of illuminating our cores with clarity and positivity.

Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is a five-day-long festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists. It takes place every autumn between October and November, with the date changing every year.

Why is it called the festival of lights? Diwali is known as the festival of lights because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small earthenware lamps called divas. These lamps, which were traditionally fuelled by mustard oil, are placed in rows in windows, doors and outside buildings to decorate them.

Holi, the festival of Colors, is celebrated in different corners of India on full moon day in the month of Phalgun, which is the month of February/March as per the Gregorian calendar. 'Holi' marks the onset of Spring. Throwing of colours to each other is the signature of this festival.