close
close

first Drop

Com TW NOw News 2024

    • When is Diwali 2024? What you need to know about the Hindu festival of lights
    news

    When is Diwali 2024? What you need to know about the Hindu festival of lights

    Vaseline Posted on

    play

    Light those lamps and bring out the sparkle, it’s time for Diwali.

    On Thursday, millions of Hindus and South Asians around the world will celebrate the Festival of Lights with feasts, dinners, food and prayers.

    “One of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, Diwali or Deepavali, commemorates the victory of good over evil for five days,” says the Hindu American Foundation. “The word refers to rows of diyas – or clay lamps – placed all around homes and places of worship.”

    Here’s what you need to know about Diwali.

    Champagne coupe towers and chandeliers: Hasan Minhaj, Jessel Taank and Jay Sean wow at the star-studded Diwali party

    Diwali, the ‘Festival of Light’

    The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning ‘row of lights’, which during the festival consecrates lights outside their homes to represent the light that protects against spiritual darkness and symbolizes good over evil.

    “The light of these lamps symbolizes the enlightenment within all of us that can overcome ignorance, represented by darkness,” says the Hindu American Foundation.

    The lights are also intended to honor and invite the goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with agriculture and abundance, to enter and bless their homes, temples and other public spaces, as Hindu belief holds that Lakshmi is not a dark space can enter, according to Smithsonian’s National. Museum of Asian Art.

    The festival, spread over a period of five days, also marks the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calendar and celebrates the last rice harvest of the year, according to JSTOR.

    For Sikhs, meanwhile, Diwali celebrates the sixth Guru, who serves as a source of inspiration and a symbol of freedom. The guru was in prison and refused to leave the prison without the other 52 political prisoners being released. On the day of Diwali, his release is celebrated along with the other political prisoners he fought for. Although the reason behind the celebrations may be different, to commemorate the festival, Sikhs will also go to the Gurdwara to pray and meditate, light diyas and set off fireworks.

    Initially, Diwali was a religious event, but over the years it has grown into a festive occasion, similar to Christmas and Hannukah, with people from all communities and religions joining in to celebrate it.

    More: Barbie releases new doll for Diwali to ‘celebrate the power and beauty of diversity’

    When is Diwali?

    Diwali is celebrated during the Hindu month of Kartik, which usually falls between mid-October and mid-November. This year, Diwali falls on October 31, according to the Hindu American Foundation holiday calendar.

    The festival is celebrated over five days and dhanteras, the preparation period leading up to the peak of Diwali on October 31, begins two days earlier on October 29.

    How is Diwali celebrated?

    Diwali celebrations begin with devotees deep cleaning their homes and surroundings in preparation for the goddess’s arrival, according to the Smithsonian. The next day, they decorate with clay lamps, candles and other lights and draw colorful patterns of flowers, powder, rice or sand on the floor, an artistic practice called rangoli, meant to bring good luck.

    The main celebration takes place on the night of the third day, which marks the end of the Hindu calendar year. Devotees dress up in their finest outfits, make offerings to Lakshmi, light fireworks and sparklers and enjoy a sweet feast.

    Festivities continue over the next two days as people organize gatherings and visit family and friends to celebrate the new year.

    For Hindus, Diwali is also a time for dana (charitable giving) and seva (selfless service), according to the Hindu American Foundation.

    Contributing: Michelle Shen, USA TODAY

    Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

    Vaseline
    View all posts

    You Might Also Like