Diwali 2022, or Deepavali, is one of India’s most important annual holidays. Also know as the Hindu festival of lights, Diwali derives its name from the rows of clay lamps that are lit in front of houses during the celebration to symbolize the inner light warding off darkness.
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the most important national holiday of the year in India, celebrating the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Due to its long-lasting and multi-faith celebrations in India, it tops all other festivals.
When is Diwali 2022?
Diwali, like many other Indian holidays, is based on the Indian lunar calendar. So the (internationally used) date of the festival changes every year, but usually falls between mid-October and early November.
Diwali celebrations usually last for 5 days. Each day has a different name and different rituals. In 2022, Diwali falls on October 24 and the main celebrations last from October 22 to 26.
The most important third day is the main day of Diwali – October 24 – when it is the best time to worship the goddess Lakshmi (the god of wealth) and the time for a big family feast.
Importance of festival of lights Diwali 2022
The importance of Diwali to Indians is like Christmas to Westerners. Many Indian companies take Diwali as the beginning of a new financial year. Each year, more than 1 billion people – Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists in mainland India and overseer communities – celebrate these spiritual and joyous days.
To outsiders, the most famous part of this festival is probably the dazzling burning clay lamps that line the streets, alleys and entrances, and the rangoli – creative and colourful designs made of powder, rice, flower petals or sand on the surface. floor. But for Indians, there is much more to this festival: children have holidays, employees get bonuses, housewives enjoy shopping, houses are decorate, gifts are exchange and big meals are prepare.
Diwali is, even more, special this year – socially and spiritually. Since the shadow cast by the coronavirus is still here, the celebration of this holiday is more tangible for people. Who long to get rid of past darkness and bad luck and welcome a new life full of light and wealth.
Diwali 2022 Celebrations: Why and How It’s Celebrated
Diwali is a symbol of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. It is celebrate by many different religions in India and each religion has different reasons to celebrate. They celebrate this holiday based on their own religious legends/histories and what is consider important.
- Hindus celebrate Diwali to honour Rama’s eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana.
- For Jains, this holiday celebrates the attainment of nirvana by one of their most revered leaders.
- For Sikhs, it is a celebration of Guru Hargobind’s release from prison.
For most Indians, this holiday celebrates the birth of the goddess Lakshmi. Who is said to have emerge from the ocean on the night of the new moon (Diwali night). Which is the 15th day of the 8th month of the Indian calendar (roughly between October 17 and November 14).
There are many different traditions that surround the 5-day celebration of this holiday. Overall, it is consider an important time for introspection, purification, decoration, gathering and puja (worship).
Day 1: Cleaning and shopping
Most Hindus consider Diwali to be the start of a new year and use it as a time to let go of the negativity of the past and perform rituals to bring happiness and prosperity into the new year.
So on the first day of Diwali, people clean their homes and go to Diwali markets and buy gold, silver, kitchen utensils. And other auspicious items to decorate their homes and also new clothes to wear on the main day of celebration. This is symbolic of getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.
Day 2: Home Decoration
Houses are decorate to welcome Goddess Lakshmi and blessings of happiness, prosperity and fame. People usually make their home decorations on the second day of Diwali (Choti Diwali).
Diwali or Deepavali means a row of diyas (small clay oil lamps)’, so the main decorations for Diwali are diyas and candles. Toranas (decorative ‘sacre gates’) are hang on doors and rangoli. Colourful patterns create on the ground with powder are create at the entrance of homes to please and attract Lakshmi (goddess of wealth).
Day 3 (Main Day): Family gatherings and Lakshmi Puja
Diwali is a big family celebration that often involves large families gathering for a big meal and exchanging gifts.
During the main day (the third day of the celebration), families gather and cities are fill with lights and fireworks. Everyone wears their most beautiful traditional clothing and takes a cleansing bath in the morning. In the evening, extend families gather for a big meal, diyas are lit and a ritual for the goddess of wealth called Lakshmi Puja is perform.
Day 4 and 5: Gift exchange
The fourth day of the festival is dedicate to celebrating the love between husband and wife. Men often buy gifts for their wives on this day.
On the fifth day, families gather to celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters in a beautiful ceremony. During the ritual, sisters pray and wish for the well-being and success of their brothers while making a tilak called Bhai dooj. In return, brothers often give their sisters gifts and sweets and promise to protect them.
