Diwali or Deepavali is one of the important Hindu festivals that is celebrated in the month of Karthika and one of the popular festivals that is celebrated as it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
It is celebrated over 5 days and the dates keep changing every year. It is celebrated in the holy month of Karthika according to the Hindu calendar. In the year 2020, Diwali will be celebrated on 14th November, Saturday, and the main festival on 16th November which falls on Tuesday.
Being a pompous festival, here are some of the facts about Diwali and why it is celebrated grand all across India.
a) It is a national holiday in India, Trinidad & Tobago, Myanmar, Nepal, Mauritius, Guyana, Singapore, Suriname, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Fiji. And it is an optional holiday in Pakistan.
b) It is the day that marks the return of Lord Rama and Sita from 14 years of exile. They also celebrate the day Mother Goddess Durga destroyed a demon called Mahisha.
c) The festival of Diwali is not only celebrated by Hindus but also by Jains and Sikhs. Jains celebrate as the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavir attained the state of Moksha during Diwali and Sikhs celebrate the day as the foundation of the holy Golden Temple of Amritsar was laid a stone during this day in the year 1577. Also, for Sikhs another important event where Guru Hargobind Rai was released from imprisonment.
d) Diwali is the festival of lights that symbolizes the light over darkness and during Diwali, the shops, restaurants, and homes will be cleaned and lit with earthen lamps. It is the way that the people celebrate to help Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi to find her way to the homes.
e) Diwali is also celebrated as the day that marks the end of harvest and welcomes the winter season and also it is the day where new businesses open their new accounting books.
f) In the Bengal region, people worship Goddess Kali the destroyer of evil forces, and in Nepal, they celebrate the day when Lord Krishna destroyed evil Narakasura.
g) The festival also marks the return of Pandavas from 13 years of exile after they lost the game of dice against Kauravas.
h) The festival marks Lord Vishnu killing Hiranyakashipu who had a gift from Lord Brahma where he could neither be killed by an animal or human being, neither during the day or night, neither by inside a location or outside and was immortal. Thus Lord Vishnu who reincarnated as Narasimha killed Hiranyakashipu defying all odds during twilight and hence this festival marks the trump of goodness over evil.
i) It is the time when billions of dollars will be spent on firecrackers which contribute to pollution. Usually, during Diwali metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai would be having a thick smog due to the bursting of firecrackers.
j) Families all across the world celebrate by wearing new clothes, lighting lamps, eating a delicious festival meal, and share happiness and goodness with near and dear ones.
[ Also Checkout: Festivals in Tamil Nadu ]
