Diwali – The Festival of Lights and Hope

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Diwali- The Festival of Lights

Diwali is one of the most popular carnivals in India. It is celebrated on the occasion of Lakshmi Puja. Followers of Hinduism celebrate this festival for five consecutive days every year. People observe this day through lights to remove the darkness from their lives and hope that the coming days will be great. So, This day has great importance for the followers of Hinduism.

How Does Diwali Differ from Makar Sankranti as Festivals in India?

Diwali and Makar Sankranti are both important all Indian festival Makar Sankranti celebrated in India but have different significance. Diwali is known as the festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. Makar Sankranti, on the other hand, marks the end of winter and the start of the harvest season.

Can I Use Diwali Decorations for Holi Celebration as Well?

Yes, you can use Diwali decorations for Holi celebration as well. Bright lights, colorful rangoli, and vibrant flowers can add a festive touch to your Holi party. Share your joy with loved ones by sending them Holi festival SMS wishes filled with warmth and happiness.

How Is Diwali Celebrated and What Does It Symbolize?

Diwali is celebrated with traditional oil lamps, colorful decorations, and fireworks. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Families come together to exchange sweets and gifts, and to offer prayers. It’s a time of joy and renewal, marking a fresh start for the year ahead. Happy Diwali and happy “back to the future day“!

Colourful History of Diwali

People have been celebrating Diwali or Deepavali, as known in India for more than 4450 years. It was the era of Mahabharat. The Pandabs spent 12 years in the wild and one year unknown with Panchali, the daughter of Pancharaj. They returned on the day of Diwali. The people of Hostinapur welcomed them by lighting lamps and lighting around the area.

On the day of Diwali, the owner of wealth and money,  Goddess Maha Lakshmi, comes up during the Samudra Manthan. Followers light up the lamp on this day and worship the Goddess Maha Lakshmi. The devotees and the worshippers are not deprived of God’s kindness when they worship Durganandan Ganpatiji, Dhanadapathi Kuber, and Goddess Saraswati with Goddess maha Lakshmi. This day is mentioned as the birthday of Maha Lakshmi in the Puranas.

King Vikramaditya (Second Chandragupta) is a famous name in the history of India. He defeated the Shock Dassuraj and became famous as Shokari. People celebrated this victory like a carnival during his reign and named this festival Diwali(Dipmala) as they celebrated it with lights.

The day of Diwali is an unforgettable day for the Sikh community. The foundation of the golden temple was established in Amritsar in 1588 on the holy day of Diwali.

Diwali- The Festival of Lights

How people celebrate this day

North India

Diwali is celebrated in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, and Hariyana based on Ramayan’s story. The day of Ram’s arrival in Ajodhya from the forest is celebrated as Diwali. Many people worship Ganesh and Lakshmi at home on this day. They decorate their house with Rangolis.

East India

People worship Goddess Kali on Diwali in many places in eastern India, including Bengal. Though the area is covered with lights like India’s rest, the worship style is different in eastern India.

West India

The people of Western India start celebrating Diwali 15 days earlier than all other states. Followers use line arts of God and Goddess, Flowers, and the sun to portray this day’s importance. Maha Lakshmi’s footprints are also painted and seen in the rooms of worshippers.

South India

People of Sothern India mainly celebrate Diwali following the Naraka Chaturdashi. This day is mentioned as Aippasi Naraka Chaturdashi in the Tamil Calendar. There is no separate celebration in South India named Diwali. But they perform worship following the Naraka Chaturdashi. There is a practice of performing worship after taking an oil shower right after sunrise.

Diwali 2024 SMS Wishes

Celebrate the light and a good vibe on the day of Diwali with SMS wishes by sending them to your nearest and dearest ones.

  • May you carry on with your life like the celebration of Diwali, glad sound, affluent, and Very Happy Diwali.

  • Deepon ki tarah tum sada jagmagaate raho, Lakshmi ji ka aashirwaad paate raho, Meri hai yeh subhkaamna tumhe, Ki tum hamesha yu hi muskurate raho! Subh Deepawali

  • May the trillion twinkling lamps of Diwali illuminate your life with happiness and positivity. Happy Diwali dear!

  • O Ram! The light of lights, the self-luminous inner light of the Self is ever shining steadily in the chamber of your heart. Sit quietly. Close your eyes. Withdraw the senses. Fix the mind on this supreme light and enjoy the real Deepavali, by attaining illumination of the soul.

  • May the glow of prosperity, happiness, and joy brighten your day in the year ahead Shubh Deepavali.

  • Sagar bhari khushiya,Asman bhara pyar,Mithai ki khushbu,Deepo ki bhahar,Mubarak ho apko “DIPAWALI” ka tyohar “HAPPY DIWALI”

Diwali Outside India

Diwali is not only celebrated in India but also in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar Moriches, Guana, Malaysia, Singapore, and Fiji. Followers of Hinduism celebrate this day in almost every country in the world. In Bangladesh, educational institutes remain closed on this day.

Besides the mentioned countries, Hinduism followers celebrate this festival in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and other  European countries. People of other religions also join the main attraction of Diwali, the fireworks.

Want to join Diwali 2024?

Are you feeling thrilled as you continue reading this article? Want to celebrate Diwali yourself? Then, I can hand over to you the fundamental and proper information. Firstly, you have to decide your preferred location to celebrate this glamorous festival. You can celebrate this festival in most South Asian Countries.

If you have chosen India, then go to the official site of India’s Ministry of Culture. There you will find information about all the religious and cultural festivals of India. You can contact them and ask where the tourists are allowed to join, and they will provide you with accurate information. If you want to join the biggest Diwali celebration in India, go to the holy city of Ajodhya, where Lord Ram and his wife Sita returned after an era of exile. It is situated in Uttar Pradesh of India.

Diwali- The Festival of Lights

Importance of Diwali

Diwali is celebrated all over India and has different religious importance. Worshipping the Maha Lakshmi on this day has different importance according to the place of worship. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi comes down to the earth on the night of the tragedy( New Moon). It is essential to take a bath in the morning and give the poor food in the evening.

Worshippers celebrate Dhanteras a day before Diwali. In Hinduism, it is considered holy to buy new things in Dhanteras. The lucky time of Dhanteras starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 8:00 pm at 33 pm.

Diwali is the biggest Carnival in India 

Girls and women wear brand new colourful clothing and jewellery at Diwali. Their hands are decorated with extraordinary designs. This time of the year the selling of sweets increases in the Indian markets. As people exchange sweets with friends and families come together to celebrate the Carnival. 

All the markets get packed with the colourful decorations of the Diwali celebration. Almost millions of clay-dias (clay made candles) sell this time of the year. 

At the time of Diwali, tourists visit Indian local markets to see the rush of colourful preparations. 

All the flower markets become very busy and active. People use flowers to decorate their homes. 

As Diwali festival means sharing and caring, neighbours come together with delicious holiday treats. 

Family members also go to the temples, wearing brand new colourful outfits. Millions of Indian silk sarees have been sold at Diwali. Each and every Indian house has become well decorated with colourful designs and housewives make good foods for this festive occasion. 

During the night period everywhere you will see numerous colourful lights. In big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and also in other cities spectacular fireworks can be seen at night. 

Millions of visitors come to India this time around to see the buzz and spectacular views of India. 

The Indian government knows the importance of this festival, so a holiday has been declared during this time to enjoy the excitement with friends and family. 

Diwali is a multi-religious festival 

Diwali is not only celebrated by the Hindus but also Celebrated by the Sikhs, Jain and Buddhists

Hindus celebrate Diwali to honour Ram-chandra’s victory against the demon king Ravana. 

Jain celebrates this festival to commemorate the spiritual awakening of their Lord Mahavira

Sikhs celebrate this festival as their Guru Govans had returned to Amritsar. 

And Buddhist people celebrate this festival to honour their emperor Ashoka’s decision to convert to Buddhism. 

Diwali, a Colourful celebration of India

Diwali is a magnificent experience for Tourists/Foreigners

Many tourists from around the world visit India in the late Fall season, to be a witness to Diwali celebration. Some of them bought colourful dresses to participate in this festival. Diwali celebration is very similar to the new year celebration or 31st night celebration. Tourists enjoy the buzz and sounds of the Indian market. They get amazed by the spectacular scenes of Diwali and also participate in this holy carnival of harmony. Tourists and foreigners share the excitement and blessings of Diwali with locals. 

So, the Diwali festival is no more an ordinary festival event. The spirit of this very meaningful festival will bring more hope, light and joy to our life. 

Conclusion

Diwali has its own importance in history. This festival is a part of the traditions of Hinduism. So, they should follow the traditions properly to represent their festivals to the world. Besides, this is the day to forget the miseries and light up your life with a new candle. Let us make this day to be a reason to be happy and light up our life with happiness.

Discover more cultural and religious festivals :

Pahela Baishakh – The Day to Reborn

Dusshera – The Day of Victory

Ganesh Chaturthi – The arrival of Lord Ganesh

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