3. What is Diwali ?
Diwali, Divali, or Deepawali is the Hindu festival of lights, typically lasting
five days and celebrated during the Hindu
Lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-
of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolises the spiritual
"victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over
ignorance". The festival is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of
prosperity, but regional traditions connect it
to Sita and Rama, Vishnu, Krishna, Durga, Kali, Dhanvantari,
or Vishvakarman.
4. History of Diwali
Diwali is called the Festival of Lights and is celebrated to honor Rama-
chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu). It is believed
that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during
which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon
king, Ravana. People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil (light
over darkness). The goddess of happiness and good fortune, Lakshmi, also
figures into the celebration. It is believed that she roams the Earth on this
day and enters the house that is pure, clean, and bright.
5. What does Diwali means ?
The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning "rows
of lighted lamps".
Houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called
diyas. People also enjoy fireworks and sweets too, so it's really popular
with children.
6. Religious significance
The hindu religious significance of Diwali varies regionally within India. The
festival is associated with a diversity of deities, traditions, and symbolism
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas in remembrance of the release of Guru
Hargobind from the Gwalior Fort prison by the Mughal emperor, Jahangir,
and the day he arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
Diwali is not a festival for most Buddhists, with the exception of
the Newar people of Nepal who revere various deities in
the Vajrayana Buddhism and celebrate Diwali by offering prayers to
Lakshmi.
7. Why it is called the “Festival of Light” ?
It is called the festival of lights because Diwali marks the triumph
of light over darkness and good over evil. To celebrate Diwali people set
off fireworks, and lights candles called divas or diyas.
The festival is Traditionally celebrated with the activities like lightining the
candles, brusting the crackers, sweets, new clothes etc.,,
8. What happens during Diwali ?
In India and other places where the holiday is celebrated, residents leave
their windows and doors open to allow Lakshmi to find her way into their
homes, the Independent reported. Every home is lit with diyas, leaving no
room for darkness to enter, and doorsteps are decorated to welcome
guests, according to the Hindu American Foundation. In addition, many
people wear new clothing to thank Lakshmi for providing prosperity and
good fortune. And, as evening comes, firecrackers are set off.
9. Diwali Celebration
This festival is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartikamasam which falls
sometime during October or November. It is celebrated to mark the return
of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile and his victory over the
Demon Ravana. In many parts of India, Deepawali is celebrated for five
consecutive days.
Hindus regard it as a celebration of life and use the occasion to strengthen
relationships. In some parts of India, it marks the beginning of a new year.
People clean and decorate their house before the festival
10. Fire works
Diwali, the festival of lights, is typically celebrated by setting off
firecrackers late into the night with friends and family, compounding
already-hazardous air quality levels in northern India as farmers illegally
burn crop stubble to clear fields.
