Diwali
The Sanskrit word Dipavali means a row of lights. Monier Monier Williams defined the term as a compound of dīpa, meaning light or lamp, and āvali, meaning series or row. Early Sanskrit texts like the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana mention this festival between the 7th and 10th centuries. Emperor Harsha referenced Deepavali in his 7th-century play Nagananda as Dīpapratipadotsava. He described lamps being lit while newly engaged brides and grooms received gifts. Rajasekhara called it Dipamalika in his 9th-century Kavyamimamsa text. His work noted homes whitewashed and oil lamps decorating streets at night. Persian historian Al Biruni wrote about Deepavali in his 11th-century memoir on India. He observed Hindus celebrating on the new moon day of Kartika month. Venetian merchant Niccolò de' Conti visited India in the early 15th century. He recorded temples filled with an innumerable number of oil lamps burning day and night. Families gathered to sing, dance, and feast while wearing new garments. Portuguese traveller Domingo Paes documented celebrations in the Vijayanagara Empire during October. He saw householders illuminating their homes and temples with lamps. Sir William Jones published notes on Hindu festivals in 1799. The philologist listed four days of Diwali in autumn months Aswina-Cartica. He described Lacshmipuja dipanwita as a great festival at night honoring Lakshmi. Sanskrit inscriptions found across India mention Dipotsava or Dipavali. A 10th-century Rashtrakuta copper plate from Krishna III's reign mentions Dipotsava between 939 and 967 CE. A 12th-century inscription in Dharwad refers to the festival as a sacred occasion. German Indologist Lorenz Franz Kielhorn translated verses from a 13th-century temple inscription. The text describes kings Ila, Kartavirya, and Sagara celebrating this auspicious festival of lights.
Hindus link the festival to legends in the epic Ramayana where Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating demon king Ravana. His army of good defeated Ravana's army of evil over fourteen years of exile. The festival serves as a reminder for followers to maintain dharma in daily life. Another tradition involves Krishna killing demon Narakasura near present-day Assam. This victory freed 16,000 girls held captive by the evil king. Naraka Chaturdashi marks the day Krishna destroyed Narakasura. Many Hindus associate the festival with Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu. She represents wealth and prosperity. Some sources state Lakshmi was born from Samudra Manthana, the churning of the cosmic ocean. The night of Diwali is when she chose and wed Vishnu. Ganesha, son of Parvati and Shiva, symbolizes ethical beginnings and removes obstacles. Eastern India associates the festival with Goddess Kali who symbolizes victory of good over evil. Communities in Braj region and southern Tamil areas view Diwali as Krishna overcoming Narakasura. Trade families offer prayers to Saraswati and Kubera. They embody music, literature, learning, book-keeping, treasury, and wealth management. Western states like Gujarat mark Diwali as the start of a new year. Jains celebrate Mahavira Nirvana Divas marking physical death and final nirvana of Mahavira. Jain tradition holds lamps were lit on this day in 527 BCE. Eighteen kings issued a proclamation to light lamps in remembrance of the great light. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas remembering release of Guru Hargobind from Mughal prison. He arrived at Golden Temple in Amritsar after Jahangir freed him. Sikh history highlights founding of Amritsar in 1577 and martyrdom of Bhai Mani Singh in 1738. Newar Buddhists worship Lakshmi during Diwali despite most other Buddhists not celebrating it.
Celebrants clean, renovate, and decorate homes with diyas and rangolis before the festival begins. People wear finest clothes and illuminate interiors and exteriors with saaki earthen lamps. Families perform worship ceremonies of Lakshmi and Ganesha while lighting fireworks. Feasts feature mithai sweets and shared gifts. Dhanteras marks the thirteenth day of dark fortnight of Ashwin or Kartik. It initiates Diwali celebrations across most parts of India. Women and children decorate doorways with rangoli designs made from rice flour or flower petals. Boys and men string lights and lanterns on roofs and walls. The evening brings prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha alongside offerings of puffed rice and candy toys. Yama Deepam involves lighting a diya filled with sesame oil facing south. This ritual pleases god of death and wards off untimely death. Naraka Chaturdashi is second day coinciding with fourteenth day of dark fortnight. Some Hindus pray for peace to manes or defiled souls of ancestors. Roop Chaudas sees women bathe before sunrise applying Ubtan made of gram flour mixed with herbs. Hanuman Puja occurs in Gujarat where spirits roam during Kali Chaudas night. Marathi and South Indian Hindus receive oil massage from elders before taking ritual bath. Third day heightens festival when homes glow with lights making it festival of lights. Teenage girls wear saris and jewelry at dusk. Family members gather for Lakshmi Pujan while lamps placed earlier are lit up. Firecrackers called patakhe light up the sky together. Annakut celebrates bond between wife and husband through gifts. Parents invite newly married daughter or son to festive meal. Govardhan puja honors Krishna saving cowherds from floods by lifting mountain. Communities prepare over one hundred dishes dedicated to Krishna. Last day Bhai Duj celebrates sister-brother bond. Women perform puja then feed brothers with hands receiving gifts. Artisan communities clean looms and tools offering prayers to Vishwakarma deity.
Diwali marks major shopping period comparable to Christmas season in consumer purchases. Households buy new clothing, home refurbishments, gold, jewelry, and large items. Purchases considered auspicious as festival dedicated to Lakshmi goddess of wealth. Rural Indians spend significant portion of annual income renewing relationships and social networks. Confectionery and fireworks sold in substantial quantities during Diwali. About 10 billion rupees worth of fireworks sold to merchants in 2013 according to The Times of India. ASSOCHAM trade organization forecasted online shopping exceeding 300 billion rupees over 2017 season. Two-thirds of Indian households spent between 5000 and 10000 rupees celebrating Diwali in 2017. Stock markets NSE and BSE typically closed except for Diwali Muhurat trading session lasting one hour. INDF ETF launched in 2020 marking start of Diwali. Banks face pre-Diwali cash crunch due to high demand for currency notes. Retailers stock festive foods and decorative displays for home celebrations. Families prepare homemade delicacies like laddus, barfis, halwa, kachoris, shrikhand, sandesh, karanji, shankarpali, maladu, susiyam, pottukadalai wrapped with edible silver foil. Shops either do not open or close early allowing employees family time. Small business owners give gifts or special bonus payments to staff between Dhanteras and Lakshmi Pujan.
Diwali attracts cultural exchanges becoming occasions for politicians meeting Hindu citizens worldwide. Catholic dicastery Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue began sending official greetings mid-1990s. Singaporean government organizes many cultural events annually with Hindu Endowments Board. Former Prince Charles attended Diwali celebrations at Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden highlighting contributions of Hindu community. Cities across UK show support through lights decorations and dance performances since 2009. White House first celebrated Diwali under George W Bush in 2003. Religious significance officially recognized by United States Congress in 2007. Barack Obama became first president personally attending Diwali at White House in 2009. He released statement sharing best wishes before visiting India as President. Donald J Trump posted official statement celebrating Diwali in October 2025. FBI Director Kash Patel posted similar message online met with racist invective from Christian nationalists. As of October 2025, three US states made Diwali official holiday: California Connecticut Pennsylvania. Indian forces approach Pakistani counterparts at border bearing traditional confectionery gifts. Pakistani soldiers return gesture giving sweets to Indian soldiers every year during festival. Governments encourage or sponsor festivities in their territories as symbol of diversity and inclusiveness.
Use of firecrackers increases concentration of dust and pollutants in air. Fine dust particles settle on surfaces packed with chemicals like copper zinc sodium lead magnesium cadmium. Pollutants include oxides of sulfur and nitrogen affecting environment putting health at stake. Smoke creates smog sometimes taking days to clear levels of suspended particulate matter increase. Exposure causes eye nose throat-related problems when people encounter pollutant particles. Carcinogenic and poisonous elements used produce colors when crackers burst. During 2023 celebration New Delhi briefly took top spot globally for air pollution index reaching 680 one night. Fireworks can lead to burn injuries requiring outpatient care mostly Group I type burns. Anar fountain firework responsible for 65% such injuries adults typical victims. Experts urge precaution around candles fires asking children kept safe distance from flames. Communities balance festivity enjoyment against environmental risks posed by chemical emissions.
October 2025 Diwali celebration in Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh broke Guinness World Record largest display oil lamps. 2,617,615 lamps displayed on eve of festival. Diwali inscribed on UNESCO List Intangible Cultural Heritage becoming 16th Indian tradition receiving global honor joining Durga Puja Yoga ranks international recognition. Festival popular in other countries where lawmakers passed legislation making holidays schools. Debates over holiday pushback exist future Diwali will become official holiday. Diaspora communities host melas fairs featuring music dance arts performances food crafts cultural celebrations. Events held college university campuses or community events members Indian diaspora. State of California made Diwali official state holiday October 2025. International diaspora traditions document global spread beyond India borders. Festivals celebrate triumph goodness light knowledge darkness ignorance across diverse faiths worldwide.
Common questions
What is the origin of the word Diwali according to Sanskrit texts?
The Sanskrit word Dipavali means a row of lights and was defined by Monier Monier Williams as a compound of dīpa meaning light or lamp and āvali meaning series or row. Early Sanskrit texts like the Padma Purana and Skanda Purana mention this festival between the 7th and 10th centuries.
When did Emperor Harsha reference Deepavali in his play Nagananda?
Emperor Harsha referenced Deepavali in his 7th-century play Nagananda as Dīpapratipadotsava. He described lamps being lit while newly engaged brides and grooms received gifts during the celebration.
Which Hindu legends are linked to the festival of Diwali?
Hindus link the festival to legends in the epic Ramayana where Rama returned to Ayodhya after defeating demon king Ravana over fourteen years of exile. Another tradition involves Krishna killing demon Narakasura near present-day Assam which freed 16,000 girls held captive by the evil king.
How much money worth of fireworks were sold to merchants in 2013 according to The Times of India?
About 10 billion rupees worth of fireworks were sold to merchants in 2013 according to The Times of India. Confectionery and fireworks are sold in substantial quantities during Diwali with trade organizations forecasting online shopping exceeding 300 billion rupees over the 2017 season.
Who became the first president personally attending Diwali at White House in 2009?
Barack Obama became first president personally attending Diwali at White House in 2009. He released statement sharing best wishes before visiting India as President and religious significance was officially recognized by United States Congress in 2007.
What Guinness World Record did October 2025 Diwali celebration in Ayodhya break?
October 2025 Diwali celebration in Ayodhya Uttar Pradesh broke Guinness World Record largest display oil lamps with 2,617,615 lamps displayed on eve of festival. State of California made Diwali official state holiday October 2025 and Diwali inscribed on UNESCO List Intangible Cultural Heritage becoming 16th Indian tradition receiving global honor.