Diwali (or Deepavaali), otherwise known as the Hindu Festival of Light, is a time for family and friends to be together to focus on making new bonds and creating special memories. It is a time of great joy and celebration in the Hindu calendar, when lights shine from every home and in streets in every town and city.

Ultimately Diwali celebrates a renewal of life, more steps along the way to self-enlightenment and the triumph of good over evil. The word Diwali originates from the Sanskrit word Deepavali (which means a group of lights) and the festival welcomes in the Hindu New Year and acts to symbolise the defeat of ignorance and darkness and triumph of the light of knowledge.

The most important symbol of Diwali is the emphasis on light - lamps and candles are lit in homes, spectacular public fireworks displays are held, and colourful street lighting in towns and city centres add to the attraction.

There is also a great emphasis on shopping in Diwali as it is a time when everybody dresses in their finest clothing and makes every effort to look their best.

Diwali is not only an important Hindu celebration, it is also significant to Sikhs and Jains for different reasons. For Sikhs Diwali Day is the day their 6th Guru was released from a period of imprisonment by the Muslim Emperor and it is significant for this reason. Whilst for Jains it is symbolic of a step along the way to enlightenment.

Origins of Diwali, Festival of Light

Originally Diwali celebrated the return of Lord Rama to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after many years of fighting the demon king of Ceylon. As Lord Rama and his family returned home at night, people lit oil lamps to guide their way. Since this date Diwali has been celebrated on Amavasa, which is the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the month Katrika, which will fall between the end of October and beginning of November.

There are five days to celebrate in Diwali: Dhanteras, Naraka Chatrudashi, Lakshmi-Puja (which is Diwali Day), Bestavarsh and Bhaiya Dooj. (Also see: Diwali, Hindu Celebration)

Traditionally gifts would be exchanged throughout Diwali as an expression of love and affection, these would often be sweets, religious idols, or coins. There has been a trend over the years, as Diwali has become more commercialized, to purchase more expensive presents and gifts.

There are also legends associated with Diwali such as the legend of the Demon Narakasura and King Bali and links to the epic tale of the Ramayana. Diwali also coincided with the end of the harvest in India, so it could well be classed as a type of harvest festival celebration as well as spiritual.

Origins of Sikh Celebration of Diwali (Bandhi Chhorr Divas)

For Sikhs, the day of Diwali is a religious day known as Bandhi Chhorr Divas as Diwali Day coincided with the day Guru Ji, their sixth Guru, was released from prison by the Muslim Emperor, Jahingir. To Sikhs the day commemorates the struggle for freedom and celebrates the history of the release of Guru Ji together with the 52 Hindu Rajas he also managed to save. Guru Ji was renamed Bandhi Chhorr, which means the Deliverer of Prisoners.

Origins of the Jain Celebration of Diwali

Jainism is one of the oldest religions in India and Jains celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the attainment of moksa, which is a final liberation of the soul.

Diwali Celebrations around the World

The celebration of Diwali has become important in many of the parts of the world which have large Indian and South Asian communities. Some important worldwide festivities of Diwali outside India are held in Mauritius, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Leicester in the UK.

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