🪔Diwali 2024 - दिवाली 2024

Also called Dhantrayodashi, this day marks the birthday of Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari, the God of Health and Healing.

Dhanteras is also a major shopping day, particularly for gold or silver articles. Merchants, traders and retailers stock up, put articles on sale, and prepare for this day. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening. Some people decorate their shops, work place or items symbolizing their source of sustenance and prosperity... Click Here, To Know More About Dhanteras »

Badi Diwali is also known as Narak Chaturdasi, Roop Chaturdashi, Roop Chaudas and Kali Chaudas. Typically, house decoration and colourful floor patterns called rangoli are made on or before Narak Chaturdasi. In North India people celebrate this day as Badi Diwali, they light one Gee diya out side the house.

Abhyang Snan on Narak Chaturdashi might be one day before or on same day of Lakshmi Puja day on English Calendar. When Chaturdashi Tithi prevails before sunrise and Amavasya Tithi prevails after sunset then Narak Chaturdashi and Lakshmi Puja fall on the same day.

This day Maryada Purushottam Shri Rama, his wife Mata Sita and his brother Shri Lakshmana return from 14 years of vanvas (exile of 14 years) after victory over the demon king Ravana. People wear new clothes or their best outfits as the evening and visit relatives & friends, exchanging gifts and sweets. Then diyas are lit, pujas are offered to Lakshmi, and to one or more additional deities depending on the region of India, typically Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera.

Lakshmi is believed to roam the earth on Diwali night. On the evening of Diwali, people open their doors and windows to welcome Lakshmi, and place diya lights on their windowsills and balcony ledges to invite her.

Diwali also marks the beginning of new year, in some parts of India. Merchants and shopkeepers close out their old year, and start a new fiscal year with blessings from Lakshmi and other deities.

Sikh celebrates Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas and Jain celebrates it as a day to commemorate Mahavir.

Govardhan Puja is celebrated when Bhagwan Krishna defeated King Indra of heaven by raising the Govardhan Parvat to crush his pride. Govardhan Puja is also celebrated as Annakut Puja... Click Here, To Know More About Govardhan Puja »

On this day food made of grains like wheat, rice, curry made with gram flour and leafy vegetables is cooked, and Bhagwan Krishna is fed as an offering. There is a tradition of offering 56 types of bhog to Bhagwan on this day in Braj.

The last day of the festival is celebrated as Bhai Dooj, Bhaiya Dooji or Bhai Tika. It is celebrated like the Rakshabandhan associated with the dear relationship of sister-brother but with some different rituals. This religious day brings alive the intimacy of brotherly love... Click Here, To Know More About Bhai Dooj »

Assamese: দীপাৱলী, Dipaboli / Dipali, Bengali: দীপাবলি/দীপালি, Gujarati: દિવાળી, Kannada: ದೀಪಾವಳಿ, Konkani: दिवाळी, Malayalam: ദീപാവലി, Marathi: दिवाळी, Odia: ଦିପାବଳୀ, Punjabi: ਦੀਵਾਲੀ, Sindhi: दियारी‎, Tamil: தீபாவளி, Telugu: దీపావళి, Nepali: स्वन्ति / Swanti or तिहार / Tihar

Bandi Chhor Shodh Divas (Day of Liberation) (ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ) is a Sikh festival which coincides with the day of Diwali. Bandi Chhor Divas celebrates the release from prison in Gwalior of the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind, and 52 other princes with him.

The word Bandi is translated from Punjabi into English as Imprisoned (or Prisoner), Chhor (shodh) translates as Release, and Divas means Day, rendering Bandi Chhor Divas as Prisoners' Release Day.

Guru Amar Das chose Diwali, later referenced as Bandi Chhor Divas, as one of the three festivals to be celebrated by Sikhs, the others being Maghi and Baisakhi (Vaisakhi).

Related Name: Bandi Shodh Divas

» Clean the house and business premises usually by giving new whitewash or fresh paints. Make the entrance way to your home or business colorful using the traditional motifs of Rangoli designs
» Buying new clothes, jewelry and new household items either big or small
» Go vegetarian, prepare traditional home-made sweets
» Worship numerous deities
» Lighting Diyas with Gee and vegetable oil, decorating home with blinking electric lamps
» Trying Diwali remedies to gain wealth
» Care for your sibling, visiting relatives and family friends, distributing sweets, dry-fruits and gifts
» Calling distant family members, relatives and friends to exchange Diwali wishes are the most common activities during Diwali

Diwali in Australia:
People in Australia celebrate Diwali with great pomp and show. Hindu Council of Australia has been celebrating Diwali in a very interesting and reverent manner since 1998. https://www.deepavali.com.au/