Happy Diwali Festival 2023: History, Significance & Celebration

Happy Diwali Festival 2023: History, Significance & Celebration

Happy Diwali Festival 2023: Diwali is a festival of Hindus associated with lights (also called as festival of light) that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Not just Hindus, but people of Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism religion also celebrate the festival of Diwali with great pomp.

On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshiped and her blessing is sought by the devotees. There are many stories behind this festival and each of them symbolizes the same thing. Check out complete details about Diwali 2023 such as its date, significance, how it is celebrated, what are the famous rituals and traditions, etc from this article.

Diwali Festival 2023 Date

Diwali festival for this year falls on Sunday, 12th November. 

Diwali generally falls on the no-moon night between the month of October and November. Traditionally it used to go on for five long days. The darkest night centers the Diwali night, the new moon night- the end of the month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika.

Festival of Lights

Diwali, also known as Deepavali comes from the Sanskrit word Dipawali meaning “Row or Series of Lights”. The festival of light is traditionally celebrated by lighting earthen lamps. We can see millions of lamps lit at homes, temples, shops, and public buildings.

Diwali is known as the Festival of Light. The festival is traditionally celebrated by lighting earthen lamps but nowadays, we use candles or LED lights for Diwali decoration. Homes, offices, or workplaces everywhere are decorated with lights in different colors.

History of Diwali

Every festival has some story or legend associated with it. As the festival comes closer, the question frequently comes to our mind: why is Diwali celebrated? The festival, which is one of the most significant for those of the Hindu faith, can trace its origins back to ancient times “when the end of the summer harvest the season was celebrated with much pomp and splendor”. 

• Deepavali is celebrated since ancient times. The story of Diwali dated back to the time of Ramayana. Most people believe that when Hindu God Rama returned to Ayodhya with his wife Sita, and brother, Lakshman, after 14 years of exile the people of Ayodhya lit a lamp of ghee to welcome him. To illuminate the path through which they return and in order to guide them home, Diyas (clay lamps) are lit everywhere. Every road in Ayodhya was decorated with golden flowers and the world is bathed in golden hues of light.
• Diwali coincides with the Sikh celebration of Bandi Chhor Divas, a religious holiday that commemorates the release of Sikh Guru Hargobind Ji from the Gwalior Fort in India in the 17th century. The Guru, who was imprisoned by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, was standing against the emperor’s regime’s oppression of the Indian people. Loosely translated, Bandi Chhor means ‘release of incarcerated people. So to Sikhs, the festival represents freedom. The Sikh community also celebrates this festival with great pomp and light. They celebrate the festival because the sixth Guru of the Sikhs, Hargobind Singh Ji, was released from the prison of Gwalior by Jahangir on the same day.

Significance of Diwali

• Diwali is a religious as well as cultural festival in India. Not only Hindus, but Sikhs, Jain, and Bouddh also celebrate Holi as per their religious belief. Thus the festival is celebrated by many religions in India and hence the festival serves to enhance social unity.
• Although Diwali is one of the Most Important Hindu Festivals, people from other religions also celebrate this festival as per their own religious beliefs and tradition. Apart from Hindu, Sikh, Boudh, and Jain communities also celebrate this festival with the same temperament. We can say that Diwali is a cultural festival celebrated by many religions in India

The 5 Days of Diwali Festival 2023

Diwali is celebrated over 5 Days. Each day of Diwali has a different significance than others. First Day is known as Dhanteras, Second day of Diwali is known as Chhoti Diwali. The Third Day is the main Diwali also Known as Lakshmi Puja, Fourth Day is known as jGoverdhan Puja, and the Fifth Day of Diwali is known as Bhai Dooj. Know more here:- 5 Days of Diwali

Day 1- Dhanteras

The celebration of five days Diwali festival starts off with Dhanteras when houses are cleaned and decorated. The entrance of each house is decorated by rangoli- a colorful floor design. For some, the day celebrates the birthday of  Goddess Lakshmi – the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, and the birthday of Dhanvantari – the God of Health and Healing. On the night of Dhanteras, diyas burn all the nights in honor of Lakshmi and Dhanvantari.

Dhanteras is just not only about worshipping and cleaning but also lots of shopping, mainly gold and silver. Shops arrange special sales on the occasion of Dhanteras. 

Day 2- Naraka Chaturdasi

This day is also known as Choti Diwali. According to Hindu literature, the asura (demon) Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna, Satyabhama, and Kali. Women wear mehendi on their hands and lots of tasty homemade sweets are made on this day. 

Day 3- Lakshmi Puja

The third day of the Diwali festival is considered to be the main day. People wear new clothes on this day, diyas are lit, and pujas are offered to Lakshmi, Ganesha, Saraswati, and Kubera. Diya and oil lamps are lit in every household and everything looks beautiful. After the puja, people go out and celebrate by lighting up fireworks. At the end of the day, everyone enjoys a wholesome meal along with tasty sweets. 

Day 4- Padwa, Balipratipada

The fourth day of the Diwali festival is celebrated as Padwa. The day after Diwali celebrates the love between the wife and husband. This day is marked as the exchange of thoughtful gifts between the spouses. Devotees also perform Goverdhan puja in honor of Lord Krishna on this day.

Day 5- Bhai Dooj

The last day and the fifth day of the Diwali festival is called Bhai Dhooj. It celebrates the loving relationship between brothers and sisters. It is quite similar to Raksha Bandhan but has different traditions. Siblings pray for the well-being and long life of each other on this special day. 

Diwali Celebrations

On the day of Diwali, people decorate their houses with flowers and make colorful rangoli. When the evening comes, people wear new clothes and engage in Lakshmi Puja. Prayers are recited and offerings are made of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

Other deities like Saraswati, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita, Hanumana, or Kubera are also worshipped on this day. After this, people lit Diyas, lamps, candles, etc, and place them in and outside their homes.

Once the puja is done, people go outside and light up fireworks. When these festivities are over, people gather with their friends and family and enjoy a grand feast.