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Diwali 2024: How India celebrates the festival of lights

Vaseline October 31, 2024

Pipo dey lights earthen lamps on the banks of Sarayu River during a program, on the eve of Diwali, on November 11, 2023, Ayodhya — We call this photo, Diwali is one of the most important festivals for the Hindu calendar – this photo is from last year’s celebration

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Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights and one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar.

The annual festival normally falls between October and November, but the exact date changes every year, for example due to the Hindu calendar, which is based on the moon.

Say this year, on Thursday the Diwali celebration takes place but some parts of the kontri celebrate the festival on Friday.

Pipo lights oil lamps and candles that day to symbolize the triumph of light and darkness and good ovaries over evil.

Could it be Diwali and why do they celebrate it?

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains, and each religion marks different historical events and stories.

Hindus celebrate the return of the gods Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after a fourteen-year exile. They also celebrate the day when mother goddess Durga destroys a demon they call Mahisha.

Sikhs mainly celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrate the festival on this date.

In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the most sacred place for the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.

The founder of Jainism by Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment I attain a state they call Moksha (nirvana, or eternal bliss).

Pipo buys idols of Hindu goddess Lakshmi and oda deities for the Hyderabad market — We call this photo, Many Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, on Diwali

A woman looks at a gold chain and earrings in front of jewelery store in front of Zaveri Bazaar during the Dhanteras festival for Mumbai on Tuesday — We call this photo, A few days bifor di festival, come, they call Dhanteras – one day they buy gold, silver or even new metal utensils, as they believe, and bring wealth and happiness to the household

Pipo buys marigold flowers, fresh roses and garlands for the flower marker in Gurugram — We call this photo, During the festival, houses, offices and streets are decorated with flower garlands

Rows of apartments use electric lights and lamps to illuminate the residential complex in front of Mumbai Parel — We call this photo, They use lights and lamps to illuminate lanes and side roads

Pipo dey shops for candles and earthen lamps ahead of Diwali for Kolkata, on October 29, 2024 — We call this photo, Pipo lights oil lamps and candles to symbolize the triumph of light and darkness

Days bifor Diwali, pipo dey cleans and organizes slide houses. They buy new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with friends, family and neighbors.

Many pipos draw traditional designs such as rangoli – they use colorful powders – outside their doors to welcome good luck and positivity.

That day, families worship Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.

They turn on lights and leave the windows and doors open to help the goddess find her way into pipo houses.

A man lifts him up to see the Diwali lights they have set up for New Delhi's Janpath Market — We call this photo, Pipo wears the most beautiful clothes to celebrate Diwali…

Pipo light earthen lamps on the banks of Sarayu River off Ayodhya on November 11, 2023 — We call this photo, …and gather with friends and family to pray, exchange sweets and gifts

Fireworks are also a big part of the celebrations, but in recent years several government agencies have imposed restrictions or banned the practice as northern Indian states suffer from severe air pollution.

The capital Delhi has banned the sale and use of fireworks during the festival, while states like Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka restrict the use of fireworks to specific hours on Diwali evening.