On Diwali festival, we light earthen oil lamps known as diyas. People light candles, exchange sweets, pray together, decorate homes, etc.
Diwali Festival 2019: Important Dates
Diwali festival is celebrated five days across the country. In 2019, Diwali falls on 27 October.
Diwali Day 1 festival is known as Dhanteras
It marks the beginning of the Diwali festival. On this day people purchase gold or silver or new utensils. It is believed that purchasing new utensils or precious metal is a sign of good luck. Even in the villages on this day; cattle are adorned and worshipped by the farmers because they are considered as the main source of income. In 2019, it falls on 25 October.
Diwali Day 2 festival is known as Choti Diwali
It is also known as Naraka Chaturdashi. It is celebrated one day before Diwali and this year it falls on 26 October. It is the festival of marking the triumph of good over evil. People used to light their homes and wait for the main day Diwali. According to one traditional practice, on Choti Diwali, people take an oil bath before sunrise by applying Ubtan.
Diwali Day 3 is known as Lakshmi Puja (Main day)
This is the main day of the Diwali festival in which Lakshmi puja is done because the day is devoted to Goddess Lakshmi. People keep their house clean, decorate it and welcome Goddess Lakshmi. In the evening lit lamps, diyas, exchange sweets and performed Lakshmi puja. People give gifts to their near ones, friends and family. In 2019, it falls on 27 October.
Diwali Day 4 is known as Govardhan Puja
This is the fourth day of the Diwali festival. It is also known as Padwa or Varshapratiprada. Govardhan is also known as Annakoot that is the 'Mountain of food'. On this day, devotees in Mathura and Nathdwara, deities in the temple are given milk baths and decorate them with new clothes dazzling gems, etc. They offer 'bhog'' which is presented and arranged in the form of a mountain in front of the idols as per the customs. In 2019, it falls on 28 October.
Diwali Day 5 is known as Bhai Dooj
This is the last day of the Diwali festival and is dedicated to brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters put tilak on the forehead of his brother, pray for his long life. And in return brothers give some gifts to their sisters. In 2019, it falls on 29 October.
Diwali Festival: Rituals and celebrations
Diwali festival is also an important festival in several religions including Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Hindu celebrates Diwali festival as returning of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile to Ayodhya because on that day people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting diyas and since then, the Diwali festival is celebrated. Jains celebrate it as the day when Mahavira, the last Tirthankara attained Nirvana or enlightenment. The Buddhists celebrate it as the day when Emperor Ashoka was converted to Buddhism. The Sikhs celebrate it to remember the coming back home of Guru Har Gobind Ji from the prison of Emperor Jahangir.
People on the Diwali festival decorate homes, do cleaning activities and welcome Goddess Lakshmi. Burst crackers, do lighting, Lakshmi Puja, exchange gifts, feasts, etc.
No doubt, Diwali festival unites various religions, regions, people together. So, in total 5 days, Diwali festival is celebrated in the whole country and it marks the triumph of good over evil, lightness over darkness.
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