Diwali Festival of Lights

Celebrating Diwali Around the World

By Dilshad Ali

Diyas, or tiny clay pots, are filled with oil into which a cotton string wick is inserted and lit. These little beacons are then displayed in Hindu homes across India and around the world this month to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights that commemorates the victory of good over evil. Also known as Deepavali, this important Hindu holiday is a significant festival for Jains, Sikhs and even Buddhists. But more so for billions of Hindus the world over, Diwali is one of the most special times of the year.

Diwali is known to most as a time of celebration, shopping, eating good food, and displaying those beautiful little diyas. But its significance goes much deeper, and though it typically lasts five days, various groups in Hinduism celebrate it in different ways. The holiday follows a lunar calendar, and it centers on the new moon that ends the Hindu month of Ashwin. Want to learn more? Get immersed in the celebration of Diwali with these five common Diwali customs as celebrated by people around the world.

Shopping for Diwali

Diwali is celebrated in slightly different ways within the Hindu faith as well as in Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. The holiday is nationalized in India and can receive a secular treatment there. But Day One of the holiday, called Dhanteras, starts with shopping, and lots of it. Hindus shop for Diwali prior to Dhanteras as well, stocking up on new clothes, food items, firecrackers, diyas ,and sweets, which are shared with family and friends throughout the five days of celebration. Some Diwali celebrators take it to the next level and clean their whole houses and purchase new dishes and pots and pans for the celebration. On the other four days, called Choti Diwali, Diwali Padwa, Govardhan Puja and Bhaiya Dooj, those celebrating the holiday take time to share food and gifts and pay homage to various Hindu Gods.

Lighting the Diyas

Diwali, which is known around the world as The Festival of Lights, is best known for those tiny diyas, or little lights that are put around Hindu homes and in businesses. Typically on the second day the diyas are lit as friends and family don new clothes and meet each other and children set off firecrackers. Also known as “deepak,” the lights usher in the Diwali festival and set the celebratory mood. The most popular and traditional diya is a tiny baked clay pot filled with oil or ghee (clarified butter) into which a cotton string wick is inserted and lit. Lighting the diya is an act of worship itself, as it pays homage to Lakshmi (also spelled Laxmi), the goddesses of and prosperity wealth. Lighting a diya in each corner of a home with the windows open is said to invoke the presence of the goddesses.

While lighting the diya, worshippers also may ask for the blessings of the Goddess Parvati, who is said to have gambled with dice with husband Lord Shiva on the eve of Diwali. So the act of lighting the diya can also bring good luck. Worshippers also reflect on their blessings and give thanks while lighting diyas, which can also be a symbol of a person’s own illumination.

Doing the Diwali Puja

Doing a Diwali Puja is one of the most sacred parts of the festival, as it pays homage to various Hindu gods and goddesses. Some Hindus fast until the puja is done. The method of doing a puja, or act of worship, varies by Hindu customs. But generally it requires the lighting of diyas and a performing a set of rites. Before doing the puja, one must take a bath before arranging the ceremonial items. Often Hindus draw a rangoli on their doorstep to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi. On a new piece of cloth, mounds of uncooked rice are placed. A clay pot (or lota) sitting on a red cloth is filled water and adorned. Coins are placed on another plate. Worshippers take some water with the left hand and sprinkle it on themselves. In the right palm is placed some of the rice and a flower. The worshipper may recite the Gayatri Mantra. Hindus visualize various lords and gods, including Ganesh, Shiva, and Lakshmi. They sprinkle the water (in the directions of north, south, east, and west) and offer sweets and fruit to those present. Other sacred rites are performed, including the lighting of the diyas. And though the rituals can be complicated, Hindu priests say the most important thing is to have strong faith and love, which will absolve any mistakes made.

Spending Time with Family

Most Hindus say that one of the best aspects of Diwali is the time spent with family and friends. Sharmila Lala, who is Hindu, looks forward to Diwali every year as a time when her family comes together to pay homage to various gods and goddesses, get dressed in new clothes, partake in delicious meals, and give thanks for each other’s company. “The most amazing part of Diwali is fireworks. We all wake up to the sounds of fireworks, which is usually really early in the morning. We all have an oil bath, followed by a delicious breakfast. We meet family and friends and enjoy fireworks,” Lala says. Spending time with family and friends is one of the most important aspects of Diwali to renew family ties and give importance to good friends.

Religious Reasons for Diwali

Why do Hindus (and Jains and Sikhs) celebrate Diwali? There are many religious reasons for this holiday, one of the most well known being the homecoming of the Lord Ram, who was sent into exile along with wife Sita and younger brother Lakshman for 14 years by his stepmother. While in exile, Sita was kidnapped by the demon Ravan and taken to his kingdom. Ram fought a fierce war with the help of the monkey king and Hanuman, the monkey God. Ram was victorious, and returned to Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) with his wife and brother. His people lit lamps to welcome him, and his comeback was celebrated as Diwali.

One other is that of King Bali, who was known for his generosity. But as he grew more successful, the gods prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy him. Lord Vishnu, transforming himself into a Brahmin dwarf, asked King Bali for as much land as three footsteps would cover. Bali agreed, after which Vishnu changed himself into a giant and took two huge steps. Before the third step, Bali placed his head under Vishnu’s foot, which then pushed him into the underworld. Being pleased with his generosity, Vishnu granted Bali the boon of being able to visit his kingdom once a year. Many Hindus celebrate Diwali as the time when King Bali comes to earth to visit his kingdom.