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Diwali is a religious festival of lights that originated in India which takes place annually, marking the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and this year is celebrated from the 4-6th November 2021. The tradition is celebrated not just by Hindus, but across many religions across the globe, but Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The lights, lamps and lanterns used to celebrate the occasions believed to help the goddess find her way into people’s homes to bring prosperity for the year to come.
Diwali or Deepavali is the Hindu festival known as the festival of lights. It is one of the major Hindu festivals or perhaps the biggest one in terms of energy and participation. It’s a pan-Indian festival, which also involves the participation of non-Hindus. And Diwali 2021 celebrations promise to be one of high energy and passion as the is world slowly coming out of the grips of a deadly pandemic.
The term Deepavali or Diwali literally means ‘collection or row of lights’; derived from the Sanskrit words ‘deep’, which means lamp, and ‘avali’, which means a row or array. The use of clay lamps (diya or deep) is a salient feature of this festival. This Hindu festival of lights is known as Diwali in North India and Deepavali in South India. It symbolises the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.
Diwali is undoubtedly the biggest Hindu festival in terms of zest and participation. In many places, it is a festival lasting four to five days, among which the third day is considered the main festival day. The Diwali celebrations can be witnessed all around India and in different parts of the world.
When is Diwali 2021 in India?
As per the Hindu calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (New Moon Day) of the month of Kartik.
In 2021, it falls on November 4 all over the country.
The Amavasya Tithi begins on November 4 at 06:03 and ends on November 5 at 02:44.
Diwali 2021 Special days
Day 1, Dwadashi (November 2, Tuesday):
Dhanteras (Dhantrayodashi), Dhanvantari Trayodashi and Yama Deepam.
Day 2, Trayodashi (November 3, Wednesday):
Kali Chaudas and Hanuman Puja
Day 3, Chaturdashi/Amavasya (November 4, Thursday):
Diwali/Deepavali, Narak Chaturdashi, Lakshmi Puja, Kali Puja, Kedar Gauri Vrat, Chopda Puja, Sharda Puja etc.
Day 4, Pratipada (November 5, Friday):
Govardhan Puja/Annakut, Bali Pratipada, Dyuta Krida and Gujarati New Year
Day 5, Dwitiya (November 6, Saturday):
Bhai Dooj, Bhau Beej and Yama Dwitiya
Diwali Celebrations:
The festival of lights ‘Diwali’ is an auspicious occasion celebrating the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair. Every year in October or November, millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world observe Diwali with five-day long festivities. It’s the most important holiday of the year in most parts of India.
The lighting of diyas is the salient feature of Diwali. The other observations include lighting fireworks, making Rangolis, preparing sweets, buying new clothes, organising get-togethers etc. On the night of Diwali, the houses, temples, streets, shops and offices get illuminated with an array of oil lamps. All these lights eliminate darkness, and the prayers and celebrations create an atmosphere of love, happiness, purity and compassion.
In many areas in India, Diwali is a festival lasting four to five days, the height of which is celebrated on the third day (Amavasya/New Moon day), coinciding with the darkest night of the year.
First Day of Diwali: Trayodashi (13th lunar phase)
The first day of Diwali is celebrated as Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi, which is a festival of wealth. On this day, people clean their houses, lay floor decorations such as Rangoli, place diyas or tea lights on entryways and balconies and purchase kitchen utensils. The observations also include some pujas and rituals. The business people worship their treasuries, and Ayurvedic practitioners worship Dhanvantari deity on this day.
Second Day of Diwali: Chaturdashi (14th lunar phase)
This day is known as Naraka Chaturdashi, which is believed to be the day in which Sri Krishna slew the evil demon Narakasur. In North India, this day is known as Choti Diwali (small Diwali), the day before the main celebrations. The observations of this day include preparing sweets and exchanging them with the dear ones and decorating floors with Rangolis. In South India, the major Deepavali celebrations are observed on this night.
Third Day of Diwali: Amavasya (New Moon)
The major Diwali celebrations take place on this day in most parts of India – western, central, eastern, and northern regions. The lighting of diyas, fireworks display, exchange of sweets, get-togethers and all other celebrations are the highest on this night which is also the darkest night of the year. Lakshmi Puja, or worship of Goddess Lakshmi, is a major ritual observed on this day.
Fourth day of Diwali: Pratipada (the day after the New Moon)
This day is celebrated in different names – Govardhan Puja/Annakut, Diwali Padva or Bali Pratipada, Dyuta Krida and Gujarati New Year etc. The celebration Bali Pratipada symbolises God Vishnu’s conquest over the demon king Bali. Govardhan Puja or Annakut commemorates Krishna’s advice to the villagers of Gokul to worship Mount Govardhan and the subsequent events.
Fifth day of Diwali: Dwitiya (second day after the New Moon)
The last day of Diwali is observed as Bhai Dooj. This is the second day of the bright fortnight and is dedicated to celebrating the brother-sister relationship. Traditionally, brothers gift their sisters, who honour them, with special rituals and sweets. For some Hindu-Sikh craftsmen communities, this is the day for Vishwakarma Puja.
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