Deepawali, often colloquially known as Diwali, is one of the most spectacular festivals of India. It denotes victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil and helps to recreate all achievements with joy, devotion, and unity among people. The grand occasion is characterized by colorful celebrations, spiritual rituals, and social gatherings.
Deepawali has great antiquity and holds a deep place in the spiritual life of people. The word ‘Deepawali’ means “a series of lights,” and in this festival, lighting their homes and surroundings is the main activity to call happiness and prosperity towards it. It is such a festival as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana; the lamp ignited during Deepawali represents victory of good over bad.
It also venerates Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth, along with Lord Ganesh. It is believed that worshiping these deities on this day brings abundance and good fortune for the year ahead.
Diwali is a five-day festival that starts with Dhanteras and ends on Bhaiya Dooj, though regional discrepancies exist. Maharashtra marks Diwali a day prior on Govatsa Dwadashi and Gujarat two days prior starting on Agyaras followed by the conclusion on Labh Panchami.
In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 31. The five-day festivities will kick off on October 28 with Dhanteras and wrap up on November 3 with Bhaiya Dooj.
Many people may be uncertain about the exact date for celebrating Diwali this year. To clarify, Laxmi Puja will take place on October 31, 2024, as the Amavasya moon will be visible that evening. In some cities, Diwali may be celebrated on November 1, 2024. As per the Panchang, Amavasya Tithi ends on November 1, 2024 at 6:16 PM. Since Laxmi Puja is usually done after sunset when the moon is visible, October 31 is considered the good day for Diwali.
As Drikpanchang puts it: “The best time to perform Diwali Puja is after sunset. The time interval after sunset is called Pradosh. The date of Diwali Puja is determined when Amavasya Tithi occurs on Pradosh.”
– Dhanteras, October 29, 2024: This festival day is dedicated to Lord Dhanvantari, god of health and healing. On Dhanteras day, people buy gold, silver, and new utensils to welcome prosperity and good fortune because purchasing precious things on Dhanteras brings money for a complete year.
– Choti Diwali (October 31, 2024) : The second day celebrates Lord Krishna’s win over the demon Narakasura. Homes will be cleaned, decorated, and lighted with earthen lamps to dispel all darkness and invite only the positivity of light. Many also light fireworks on this day.
Deepawali (October 31, 2024): The main day for worship of the major festival is Goddess Lakshmi. In the evening, puja ritual is performed by people so that they can receive blessings from goddess Lakshmi in order to enjoy prosperity and wealth. The houses are decorated with diyas and bright lights, and the sweets, gifts, and joy are shared among family members.
Govardhan Puja, November 2, 2024 It is the fourth day of worship, yet it’s an important time to celebrate Lord Krishna on the basis of Govardhan Puja. On this day, several items are prepared to symbolize Annakut, which means mountain of food. This is to celebrate the act of lifting Govardhan Hill by Krishna, saving the villagers from torrential rains.
– Bhai Dooj, November 3, 2024: Bhai Dooj is the last day of Deepawali and is especially dedicated to brothers and sisters. Sisters pray for brothers’ long life and prosperity, and brothers promise the safety of sisters. It incorporates the ritual of exchanging gifts and sweets.
Deepawali is known to be a spectacular celebration all around India and in Indian groups worldwide. To celebrate it is huge for anyone, bringing families together with friends in recognition of the basis of love, unity, and tradition.
Lighting diyas, rangoli patterns, etc forms a significant portion of this festival. Lighting oil lamps is used to symbolize the victory of good over evil, i.e., light over darkness. Rangoli designs in form of colored powder, flowers, and rice are always drawn at homes to welcome the guests as well as the deities.
Fireworks also add to the festivities, though nowadays it has become quite restricted with environmental awareness. Most of the people opt for Eco-friendly ones known as Green Crackers.
Diwali is also a time for exchanging gifts and sweets among family, neighbors, and friends. This tradition of sharing expresses love and gratitude, with popular sweets including laddu, barfi, kaju katli, and gulab jamun.
Worshiping Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha is a crucial aspect of Diwali. Lakshmi Puja is performed with devotion to seek blessings for financial success and peace in the household, while Ganesha is honored as the remover of obstacles.
Deepawali 2024 is more than being a festival of lights, for it represents celebrating life and prosperity at the same time and lasting victory of good over evil. As communities come together to celebrate, they value family, kindness, and togetherness. The spirit of Deepawali encourages spreading light in dark places, sharing joy with others, and reflecting on the blessings we receive.
