Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India. In 2018, it will start on 7th November. But do you know what this grand festival is about and why people celebrate it?
1. What is Diwali Festival?
Diwali, also spelled as Deepavali, meaning "row of lighted lamps", is a Hindu festival of lights and Hindus celebrate it with joy. Diwali symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance." Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and a school holiday in many states of the United States with a large Hindu population.
2. When is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated at the 13th lunar day of the Krishna paksha (also known as the dark fortnight) according to the Hindu calendar. It is traditionally celebrated every year between the mid October and mid November.
3. How to pronounce Diwali?
Because the word is transliterated from Hindi, Tamil, and other alphabets, we end up with different pronunciations, just as the festival is celebrated in many different ways between the numerous ethnic groups and religions.
The pronunciation for the three most common occurrences is as follows:
Diwali (English): "dee-wall-ee" but also heard as "dee-vall-ee"
Deepavali (Hindi): "dee-paw-lee"
Tihar (Nepal): "tee-har"
4. How is Diwali celebrated?
Diwali is celebrated with family gatherings, new clothes, special treats, and meals. Just as in the days leading up to Lunar New Year, homes are cleaned, renovated, and decorated. New clothes, along with sweets and small gifts for friends and family, are purchased. The quickest and easiest way to show that you acknowledge Diwali is to light lanterns and candles in front of your house.
5. How long is Diwali celebrated?
The Diwali festival lasts for five days. The peak is usually on the third day, which is considered a sort of New Year's Eve. The last day is set aside for brothers and sisters to spend time together.
6. Why is Diwali celebrated?
People believe that what they do at the festival of Diwali they will do that for whole year. That’s why people do good work, lighten the every corner of their home with lamps, distribute sweets, make friendship, offer puja (worship) to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi to get peace and prosperity, eat luxurious food, decorate their home and other activities so that they can do all that for whole year.
Source: Internet
