Satasangi Lane, Deo 824202: दीपावली vs deepawali

दीवाली

दीपों की जगमग
आधिकारिक नाम	दीपावली
अन्य नाम	दिवाली, दीवाली
अनुयायी	हिन्दू, भारतीय, भारतीय प्रवासी
प्रकार	धार्मिक, सामाजिक
उद्देश्य	धार्मिक निष्ठा, उत्सव, मनोरंजन
आरम्भ	रामायण काल से
तिथि	कार्तिक अमावस्या
अनुष्ठान	गणेश-लक्ष्मी पूजन व दीपमाला
उत्सव	रौशनी, सजावट, आतिशबाज़ी
समान पर्व	छोटी दीवाली या नरक चौदस

दीपावली का अर्थ है दीपों की पंक्ति। दीपावली शब्द ‘दीप’ एवं ‘आवली’ की संधिसे बना है। आवली अर्थात पंक्ति, इस प्रकार दीपावली शब्द का अर्थ है, दीपोंकी पंक्ति। भारतवर्षमें मनाए जानेवाले सभी त्यौहारों में दीपावलीका सामाजिक और धार्मिक दोनों दृष्टि से अत्यधिक महत्त्व है। इसे दीपोत्सव भी कहते हैं। ‘तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय’ अर्थात् ‘अंधेरे से ज्योति अर्थात प्रकाश की ओर जाइए’ यह उपनिषदोंकी आज्ञा है। इसे सिख, बौद्ध तथा जैन धर्म के लोग भी मनाते हैं।^[1] माना जाता है कि दीपावली के दिन अयोध्या के राजा श्री रामचंद्र अपने चौदह वर्ष के वनवास के पश्चात लौटे थे।^[2] अयोध्यावासियों का ह्रदय अपने परम प्रिय राजा के आगमन से उल्लसित था। श्री राम के स्वागत में अयोध्यावासियों ने घी के दीए जलाए। कार्तिक मास की सघन काली अमावस्या की वह रात्रि दीयों की रोशनी से जगमगा उठी। तब से आज तक भारतीय प्रति वर्ष यह प्रकाश-पर्व हर्ष व उल्लास से मनाते हैं। यह पर्व अधिकतर ग्रिगेरियन कैलन्डर के अनुसार अक्टूबर या नवंबर महीने में पड़ता है। दीपावली दीपों का त्योहार है। इसे दीवाली या दीपावली भी कहते हैं। दीवाली अँधेरे से रोशनी में जाने का प्रतीक है। भारतीयों का विश्वास है कि सत्य की सदा जीत होती है झूठ का नाश होता है। दीवाली यही चरितार्थ करती है- असतो माऽ सद्गमय, तमसो माऽ ज्योतिर्गमय। दीपावली स्वच्छता व प्रकाश का पर्व है। कई सप्ताह पूर्व ही दीपावली की तैयारियाँ आरंभ हो जाती है। लोग अपने घरों, दुकानों आदि की सफाई का कार्य आरंभ कर देते हैं। घरों में मरम्मत, रंग-रोगन, सफ़ेदी आदि का कार्य होने लगता हैं। लोग दुकानों को भी साफ़ सुथरा का सजाते हैं। बाज़ारों में गलियों को भी सुनहरी झंडियों से सजाया जाता है। दीपावली से पहले ही घर-मोहल्ले, बाज़ार सब साफ-सुथरे व सजे-धजे नज़र आते हैं।

अनुक्रम

धार्मिक संदर्भ

दीप जलाने की प्रथा के पीछे अलग-अलग कारण या कहानियाँ हैं। राम भक्तों के अनुसार दीवाली वाले दिन अयोध्या के राजा राम लंका के अत्याचारी राजा रावण का वध करके अयोध्या लौटे थे। उनके लौटने कि खुशी मे आज भी लोग यह पर्व मनाते है। कृष्ण भक्तिधारा के लोगों का मत है कि इस दिन भगवान श्री कृष्ण ने अत्याचारी राजा नरकासुर का वध किया था।^[3][4][5] इस नृशंस राक्षस के वध से जनता में अपार हर्ष फैल गया और प्रसन्नता से भरे लोगों ने घी के दीए जलाए। एक पौराणिक कथा के अनुसार विंष्णु ने नरसिंह रुप धारणकर हिरण्यकश्यप का वध किया था^[5] तथा इसी दिन समुद्रमंथन के पश्चात लक्ष्मी व धन्वंतरि प्रकट हुए। जैन मतावलंबियों के अनुसार चौबीसवें तीर्थंकर महावीर स्वामी का निर्वाण दिवस भी दीपावली को ही है।^[5] सिक्खों के लिए भी दीवाली महत्त्वपूर्ण है क्योंकि इसी दिन ही अमृतसर में १५७७ में स्वर्ण मन्दिर का शिलान्यास हुआ था।^[5] और इसके अलावा १६१९ में दीवाली के दिन सिक्खों के छठे गुरु हरगोबिन्द सिंह जी को जेल से रिहा किया गया था। नेपालियों के लिए यह त्योहार इसलिए महान है क्योंकि इस दिन से नेपाल संवत में नया वर्ष शुरू होता है।

पंजाब में जन्मे स्वामी रामतीर्थ का जन्म व महाप्रयाण दोनों दीपावली के दिन ही हुआ। इन्होंने दीपावली के दिन गंगातट पर स्नान करते समय 'ओम' कहते हुए समाधि ले ली। महर्षि दयानन्द ने भारतीय संस्कृति के महान जननायक बनकर दीपावली के दिन अजमेर के निकट अवसान लिया। इन्होंने आर्य समाज की स्थापना की। दीन-ए-इलाही के प्रवर्तक मुगल सम्राट अकबर के शासनकाल में दौलतखाने के सामने ४० गज ऊँचे बाँस पर एक बड़ा आकाशदीप दीपावली के दिन लटकाया जाता था। बादशाह जहाँगीर भी दीपावली धूमधाम से मनाते थे। मुगल वंश के अंतिम सम्राट बहादुर शाह जफर दीपावली को त्योहार के रूप में मनाते थे और इस अवसर पर आयोजित कार्यक्रमों में वे भाग लेते थे। शाह आलम द्वितीय के समय में समूचे शाही महल को दीपों से सजाया जाता था एवं लालकिले में आयोजित कार्यक्रमों में हिन्दू-मुसलमान दोनों भाग लेते थे।

पर्वों का समूह दीपावली

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f1/Rangoli_with_lights_in_Hyderabad.jpg/280px-Rangoli_with_lights_in_Hyderabad.jpg

रंगोली

दीपावली के दिन भारत में विभिन्न स्थानों पर मेले लगते हैं।^[6] दीपावली एक दिन का पर्व नहीं अपितु पर्वों का समूह है। दशहरे के पश्चात ही दीपावली की तैयारियाँ आरंभ हो जाती है। लोग नए-नए वस्त्र सिलवाते हैं। दीपावली से दो दिन पूर्व धनतेरस का त्योहार आता है। इस दिन बाज़ारों में चारों तरफ़ जनसमूह उमड़ पड़ता है। बरतनों की दुकानों पर विशेष साज-सज्जा व भीड़ दिखाई देती है। धनतेरस के दिन बरतन खरीदना शुभ माना जाता है अतैव प्रत्येक परिवार अपनी-अपनी आवश्यकता अनुसार कुछ न कुछ खरीदारी करता है। इस दिन तुलसी या घर के द्वार पर एक दीपक जलाया जाता है। इससे अगले दिन नरक चतुर्दशी या छोटी दीपावली होती है। इस दिन यम पूजा हेतु दीपक जलाए जाते हैं। अगले दिन दीपावली आती है। इस दिन घरों में सुबह से ही तरह-तरह के पकवान बनाए जाते हैं। बाज़ारों में खील-बताशे, मिठाइयाँ, खांड़ के खिलौने, लक्ष्मी-गणेश आदि की मूर्तियाँ बिकने लगती हैं। स्थान-स्थान पर आतिशबाजी और पटाखों की दूकानें सजी होती हैं। सुबह से ही लोग रिश्तेदारों, मित्रों, सगे-संबंधियों के घर मिठाइयाँ व उपहार बाँटने लगते हैं। दीपावली की शाम लक्ष्मी और गणेश जी की पूजा की जाती है। पूजा के बाद लोग अपने-अपने घरों के बाहर दीपक व मोमबत्तियाँ जलाकर रखते हैं। चारों ओर चमकते दीपक अत्यंत सुंदर दिखाई देते हैं। रंग-बिरंगे बिजली के बल्बों से बाज़ार व गलियाँ जगमगा उठते हैं। बच्चे तरह-तरह के पटाखों व आतिशबाज़ियों का आनंद लेते हैं। रंग-बिरंगी फुलझड़ियाँ, आतिशबाज़ियाँ व अनारों के जलने का आनंद प्रत्येक आयु के लोग लेते हैं। देर रात तक कार्तिक की अँधेरी रात पूर्णिमा से भी से भी अधिक प्रकाशयुक्त दिखाई पड़ती है। दीपावली से अगले दिन गोवर्धन पर्वत अपनी अँगुली पर उठाकर इंद्र के कोप से डूबते ब्रजवासियों को बनाया था। इसी दिन लोग अपने गाय-बैलों को सजाते हैं तथा गोबर का पर्वत बनाकर पूजा करते हैं। अगले दिन भाई दूज का पर्व होता है। दीपावली के दूसरे दिन व्यापारी अपने पुराने बहीखाते बदल देते हैं। वे दूकानों पर लक्ष्मी पूजन करते हैं। उनका मानना है कि ऐसा करने से धन की देवी लक्ष्मी की उन पर विशेष अनुकंपा रहेगी। कृषक वर्ग के लिये इस पर्व का विशेष महत्त्व है। खरीफ़ की फसल पक कर तैयार हो जाने से कृषकों के खलिहान समृद्ध हो जाते हैं। कृषक समाज अपनी समृद्धि का यह पर्व उल्लासपूर्वक मनाता हैं।

परंपरा

अंधकार पर प्रकाश की विजय का यह पर्व समाज में उल्लास, भाई-चारे व प्रेम का संदेश फैलाता है। यह पर्व सामूहिक व व्यक्तिगत दोनों तरह से मनाए जाने वाला ऐसा विशिष्ट पर्व है जो धार्मिक, सांस्कृतिक व सामाजिक विशिष्टता रखता है। हर प्रांत या क्षेत्र में दीवाली मनाने के कारण एवं तरीके अलग हैं पर सभी जगह कई पीढ़ियों से यह त्योहार चला आ रहा है। लोगों में दीवाली की बहुत उमंग होती है। लोग अपने घरों का कोना-कोना साफ़ करते हैं, नये कपड़े पहनते हैं। मिठाइयों के उपहार एक दूसरे को बाँटते हैं, एक दूसरे से मिलते हैं। घर-घर में सुन्दर रंगोली बनायी जाती है, दिये जलाए जाते हैं और आतिशबाजी की जाती है। बड़े छोटे सभी इस त्योहार में भाग लेते हैं। अंधकार पर प्रकाश की विजय का यह पर्व समाज में उल्लास, भाई-चारे व प्रेम का संदेश फैलाता है। हर प्रांत या क्षेत्र में दीवाली मनाने के कारण एवं तरीके अलग हैं पर सभी जगह कई पीढ़ियों से यह त्योहार चला आ रहा है। लोगों में दीवाली की बहुत उमंग होती है।

संदर्भ

Mahavira and His Teachings by A. N. Upadhye, Review: Richard J. Cohen, Journal of the American Oriental Society, Vol. 102, No. 1 (Jan. - Mar., 1982), pp. 231-232
Ramcharitmanas, Uttarkand
दीपावली में नरकासुर दहन की परम्परा। याहू जागरण। २७ अक्टूबर,२००८।(हिन्दी)
पांच दीपक जलाकर मनायी छोटी दीवाली। याहू जागरण।(हिन्दी)
दीपावली से जुड़े कुछ रोचक तथ्य। वेब दुनिया।(हिन्दी)
Kadowala, Dilip (1998). Diwali. London: Evans Brothers Limited. आई॰ऍस॰बी॰ऍन॰ 0-237-51801-5.

बाहरी कड़ियाँ

[छुपाएँ] द वा ब हिन्दू पर्व-त्यौहार

हिन्दू त्यौहार	गणेश चतुर्थी वसन्त पञ्चमी मकर संक्रान्ति महाशिवरात्रि होली राम नवमी जन्माष्टमी चकचंदा रक्षाबन्धन नवरात्रि दशहरा दुर्गा पूजा करवा चौथ अहोई अष्टमी धनतेरस नर्क चतुर्दशी दीपावली गोवर्धन पूजा भाई दूज छठ पूजा ओणम पोंगल रथयात्रा अराणमुला नौका दौड़ त्रिचूरपूरम विषुक्कणि कारतीगई दीपम उगादि विशाखा उत्सव तिरुवतिरा

साप्ताहिक व्रत	सोमवार मंगलवार बुद्धवार बृहस्पतिवार शुक्रवार शनिवार रविवार

पवित्र दिवस	अमावस्या मौनी सोमवती प्रदोष अनंत चतुर्दशी अक्षय तृतीया सत्य नारायण कथा

एकादशी व्रत	कामदा एकादशी वरूथिनी एकादशी मोहिनी एकादशी अपरा एकादशी निर्जला एकादशी योगिनी एकादशी देवशयनी एकादशी कामिका एकादशी पुत्रदा एकादशी अजा एकादशी परिवर्तिनी एकादशी इंदिरा एकादशी पापांकुशा एकादशी रमा एकादशी देव प्रबोधिनी एकादशी उत्पन्ना एकादशी मोक्षदा एकादशी सफला एकादशी षटतिला एकादशी जया एकादशी विजया एकादशी आमलकी एकादशी पापमोचिनी एकादशी पद्मिनी एकादशी परमा एकादशी

पूर्णिमा	चैत्र (हनुमान जयंती) वैशाख (बुद्ध जयंती) ज्येष्ठ (वट सावित्री) आषाढ़ (गुरू-पूर्णिमा) श्रावण पूर्णिमा भाद्रपद पूर्णिमा आश्विन (शरद पूर्णिमा) कार्तिक पूर्णिमा अग्रहण्य पूर्णिमा पौष पूर्णिमा माघ (माघ मेला) फाल्गुन (होली)

हिन्दू धर्म हिन्दू पृथ्वी हिन्दू धर्म सूचना मंजूषा वैदिक साहित्य हिन्दू देवी देवता एवं लेख हिन्दू तीर्थ

श्रेणियाँ:

Diwali

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Deepavali" redirects here. For the 2000 film, see Deepavali (2000 film). For the 2007 film, see Deepavali (2007 film).

Diwali
Rangoli decorations, made using coloured powder, are popular during Diwali
Also called	Deepavali, Diwali, Thee Vazhi, Festival of Lights
Observed by	Hindus, Jains, Sikhs
Type	Religious
Celebrations	Diya and lighting, home decoration, shopping, fireworks, puja (prayers), gifts, feast and sweets
Begins	Dhanteras, 2 days before Diwali
Ends	Bhai Dooj, 2 days after Diwali
Date	Decided by the Hindu Lunisolar calendar
2014 date	22 October (Wednesday) in South India^[1] 23 October (Thursday)^[2]
2015 date	11 November (Wednesday)
2016 date	30 October (Sunday)
Related to	Kali Puja, Diwali (Jainism), Bandi Chhor Divas

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See also: New Year

The Marwari New Year is celebrated on the day of the festival of Diwali, which is the last day Krishna Paksha of Ashvin month & also last day of the Ashvin month of Hindu calendar.
The Gujarati New Year is celebrated the day after the festival of Diwali (which occurs in mid-fall – either October or November, depending on the Lunar calendar). The Gujarati New Year is synonymous with sud ekam i.e. first day of Shukla paksha of the Kartik month -, which is taken as the first day of the first month of Gujarati lunar calendar. Most other Hindus celebrate the New Year in the Spring – Baisakhi. Gujarati community all over the world celebrates the New Year after Diwali to mark the beginning of a new fiscal year.
The Nepal Era New year is celebrated by the ethnic Newari in the Kathmandu valley. The new year occurs in the fourth day of Diwali. The calendar was used as an official calendar until the mid 19th century. Most Nepalese celebrate the traditional new year in April i.e. Baisakhi.

Melas

Main article: Mela

To add to the festivas of Diwali, fairs (or 'melas') are held throughout India.^[48] Melas are found in many towns and villages. A mela generally becomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and sell produce, and rural families shop for clothes, utensils and other products. Girls and women dress attractively during the festival. They wear colourful clothing and new jewellery, and their hands are decorated with henna designs.

Among the many activities that take place at a mela are performances by jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers. Food stalls are set up, selling sweet and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, which include Ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels. Activities for children, such as puppet shows, occur throughout the day.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/%281%29_Rangoli_with_Light_%26_Shadow_Diwali_November_2013.jpg/220px-%281%29_Rangoli_with_Light_%26_Shadow_Diwali_November_2013.jpg

Homes, commercial and government buildings are cleaned, renovated, sometimes freshly painted and decorated days before Diwali.^[49] Decorations vary. Above: Rangoli with lights decoration for Diwali.

Andhra Pradesh

In Andhra Pradesh, the festivities center over two days – Naraka Chaturthasi and Deepavali Amaavasya. The festivities start out at the crack of dawn and carry on well into the night. Most people make a trip to the local temple along with their families to seek the blessings of their respective Gods. The night sky is lit up with a scintillating array of noisy fireworks.

Diwali is one of the seven most important festivals of Andhra Pradesh. It is very popular with children who celebrate Diwali because of the excitement of bursting firecrackers. Special shops to sell firecrackers are set up in all towns, cities and bigger villages. There are some traditional customs followed such as buying new clothes for this festival. Buying new home or vehicles is considered auspicious. Special sweets are made too. Some eateries in Hyderabad make some delicious sweets during Diwali which will not be available at any other time. Meat and alcohol are generally not consumed. Tradition has it that Andhraites gift sweets during Diwali. Some areas host local stage story telling called Hari Katha. Some areas may put a huge Narakasura dummy made with fireworks. This will be burst by a person dressed as Lord Krishna or, more accurately, a costume of Satyabhama, the consort of Lord Krishna, who actually killed the demon Narakasura; an event that is celebrated as Diwali for generations. The evening sky of Diwali is a colourful sight to watch.

People clean/white-wash or paint/decorate their homes as it is a very auspicious day; to welcome the goddess of wealth and prosperity i.e. Lakshmi devi to their homes. Homes are lit up with hundreds of diyas and colourful diwali rangolis adorn the doorways. After all this preparation all the members of the family perform the Lakshmi puja. Another custom involves decorating homes with paper figures.

Festivities cut across boundaries to move on from the small villages to the big towns, often beginning almost a month before Diwali. Sales of expensive silk saris, jewellery, ornaments, and household goods increase. From the poor to the rich, everyone indulges in the largest shopping spree of the year. Sweets, which are an integral part of any festival in Andhra Pradesh, are prepared or purchased from shops. The festival is full of messages depicting one or more aspects of human life, relationships, and ancient traditions.

Goa and Konkan

Divali begins in Konkan and Goa on the day of Naraka Chaturdashi. The houses are cleaned and decorated with kandeel(known as Akashdivo in Konkani), lamps, mango leaves, and marigold flowers. The utensils are made to shine, filled with water, and decorated for the holy bath the following morning. On this day, paper-made effigies of Narakasura, filled with grass and firecrackers symbolizing evil, are made. These effigies are burnt at around four o'clock in the morning the following day. Firecrackers are burst, and people return home to take a scented oil bath. Lamps are lit in a line. The women of the house perform aarti of the men, gifts are exchanged, a bitter berry called kareet is crushed under the feet in token of killing Narkasur, symbolising evil and removal of ignorance. Different varieties of Poha and sweets are made and eaten with family and friends.^[50] Festivities continue till Tulsi Vivah and lamps are lit every evening. Celebrations include Lakshmi puja on the Diwali day, Krishna puja or Govardhan puja and cattle worship on Balipratipada day, Bhaubeej, and Tulsi vivah.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Sparkles_phuljhari_fireworks_on_DIWALI%2C_festival_of_lights.jpg/220px-Sparkles_phuljhari_fireworks_on_DIWALI%2C_festival_of_lights.jpg

Diwali fireworks is a family event in many parts of India. People light up fireworks near their homes and in streets. Additionally, cities and communities have community fireworks. Above: Phuljhari, sparklers that are popular with some children on Diwali nights.^[51]

Gujarat

Main article: Diwali in Gujarat

In Gujarat the Diwali celebrations take on a number of distinct characteristics.

Diwali occurs in the second (dark) lunar fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Gujarati: "Aaso") and the first (bright) fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of Kartika (Guj: "Kartik"). Aaso is the last month of the Gujarati calendar, and Kartik the first.

Celebrations start earlier in Gujarat than in the rest of India, commencing on Agyaras, the 11th day of the Krishna Paksha of Aaso. On the 12th day is Vagh Baras, the festival of the cow and the calf. On the 13th day is Dhanteras, the days Diwali starts in the rest of India. The 14th (elsewhere known as Naraka Chaturdashi in South India and Choti Diwali in the North) is celebrated as Kali Choudas. The 15th (new moon day) is Lakshmi Puja, celebrated throughout India. The next day, the first day of Shukla Paksha of Kartik, is Bestu Varsh, New Year's Day, start of the Gujarati calendar. The 2nd day of Kartik is Bhai Bij, the day Diwali ends. A further celebration takes place on the 5th day of Kartik, Labh Pancham.^[52]

Karnataka

Known as Deepavali (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ) in Karnataka, it is celebrated on the day before and day following Amavasye (New Moon Day) as Naraka Chaturdashi (before new-moon day) resembling Satyabhama's victory over Narakasura and as Bali Padyami, the first day of Kartika masa. The entire house is cleaned and new clothes are purchased for the entire family which is followed by lighting of oil lamps around the house and bursting firecrackers. The tradition in Kannada families is that all members gather together for the three days celebration. The thirteenth day of the Krishna Paksha is celebrated as "neeru tumbo habba" when the house is cleaned, painted afresh and the vessels are washed, bedecked and filled with fresh water for the festival. The next day is Naraka Chaturdashi, considered very auspicious. In parts of North Karnataka, the women of the house perform Aarti on the men. The next day is Lakshmi mahaapooje on Amavaasye (new-moon day). On the fourth day, the house, especially the entrance, is decorated with flowers and floor decorations to invite Bali into their homes. A special entrance to the home is built, made out of cow-dung (gOmaya) and Sandalwood (siri-chandana). Both materials are revered in Kannada tradition as having divine significance. The day is of special importance to agricultural families as they celebrate Govardhan Pooja on this day.^{[citation needed]} The houses are adorned with Keraka (replica of the Govardhana giri using cow dung) bejewelled with flowers and maize, ragi stalks. Fire-camps are kindled on both Naraka Chaturdashi and Bali Padyami days of Deepavali. The celebration of Deepavali is marked by the lighting of lamps in every courtyard and the bursting of firecrackers. Kajjaya is a special Deepavali delicacy in Bangalore region. Holiges and Chakkulis are prepared in all households.^{[citation needed]}

Kerala

Diwali or popularly known locally as Deepavali, falls on the preceding day of the New Moon in the Malayalam month Thulam (October–November). The celebrations are based on the legend of Narakasura Vadha – where Sri Krishna destroyed the demon and the day Narakasura died is celebrated as Deepavali.^[53] It commemorates the triumph of good over evil. The story of King Bali is also associated with Diwali by Hindus in Kerala.^[54] Unlike other parts of India, and other South Indian states, Deepavali is a low profile festival in Kerala and celebrated mostly by Hindus.^{[citation needed]}

Maharashtra

In Maharashtra, Diwali starts from Vasubaras which is the 12th day of the 2nd half of the Marathi month Ashvin. This day is celebrated by performing an Aarti of the cow and its calf – which is a symbol of love between mother and her baby.

The next day is Dhana Trayodashi. Traders and business people give special importance to this festival. It is also considered an auspicious day for making important purchases, especially metals, including kitchenware and precious metals like silver and gold.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Festive_lights_on_the_eve_of_Diwali_India.jpg/220px-Festive_lights_on_the_eve_of_Diwali_India.jpg

Homes, such as above, and buildings are decorated with festive lights for Diwali.^[55]

This is followed by Naraka Chaturdashi. On this day people get up early in the morning and take their bath before sunrise while stars are still visible. Bathing is an elaborate process on this day with abundant use of utnas, oils and perfumes, and is preceded by an Aarti.

The day after Naraka Chaturdashi comes Lakshmi-pooja. It occurs on Amavasya i.e. no moon day. The dark night is illuminated by lamps and at dusk firecrackers are burst. New account books are opened after a pooja. Generally the traders do not make any payments on that day to preserve Lakshmi in home. In every household, cash, jewellery and an idol of the goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Friends, neighbours and relatives are invited over and celebrations are in full swing.

Bali Pratipada is the 1st day of Kartik in the Hindu calendar. It marks the start of Hindu financial year. It is a special day for Husband and wife. The wife puts tilak on her husbands forehead and he gives her an expensive gift. In recent times there is a growing trend of organising a cultural event called Diwali Padwa early in the morning.

Bhau-beej – it is the time when the bond of love between a brother and sister is further strengthened. The sister asks God for her brother's(s') long and successful life while she receives presents from her beloved brothers. On these days People makes 'Faral' like Chakali, Laddu, Karanji, Chiwada and other festive foods.

Odisha

Diwali is celebrated with great joy. Rows of oil lamps, candles adorn the thresholds of all houses. Firecrackers are burst, sweetmeals are relished and distributed. Some people also worship family goddess. Tarpanam is done in the morning of diwali. All the members of the household gather together just after dusk. After the puja and offerings, the family celebrates Diwali festival by bursting firecrackers. As in other regions, most people prefer to celebrate it in their own homes, though family gatherings are also common. For Diwali houses are brightly lit, with the doors and windows kept open as Lakshmi is supposed to visit every home, and you can't afford to leave it dark and abandoned. Various kinds of Pithas are prepared and given to the deities and forefathers, and enjoyed with family and friends. On Diwali night, many parts of Orissa celebrate Kali Puja, particularly in Puri, Bhadrak, Rourkela, Cuttack & Jajpur area.

Tamil Nadu

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D.jpg/220px-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D.jpg

A homemade feast and clothes as gifts on Diwali night.

Known as Deepavali (தீபாவளி) in Tamil Nadu (தீப + ஒளி = தீப ஒளி meaning lamp lights^[56]), it commemorates the death of Narakasura at the hands of Lord Sri Krishna. It is believed that Narakasura, a malevolent demon, tortured common people and they prayed to lord Krishna to defeat him. The people then celebrated Narakasura's defeat with sparklers, lights and firecrackers. This celebration has continued down the generations as Deepavali. In Tamil Nadu, Diwali falls on the 14th day preceding the amavasya (new moon) in the solar month of Aippasi.^{[citation needed]} The day begins with an early morning oil bath, wearing new clothes, bursting of firecrackers, visiting Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu and Shiva temples. The exchange of sweets between neighbours, visiting relations, and preparing Deepavali special sweets are traditions of the day.

Typical Deepavali celebrations begin with waking up early in the morning, before sun rise, followed by an oil-bath. The bathing tradition involves extensive massaging of warm til-oil containing pepper corns and betel leaves.^{[citation needed]} New clothes are typically worn as a part of celebrations. After the bath, a home-made medicine known as "Deepavali Lehiyam" is consumed, which is supposed to aid in soothing digestive problems that may ensue due to feasting that occurs later in the day. Sparklers, firecrackers and lights are used extensively, much like the rest of the world where Deepavali is celebrated. Though the rest of the country celebrates Diwali traditionally on an amavasya day, Tamil Nadu will celebrate it on the preceding day, Naraka Chaturdashi. In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is calculated when chaturdashi prevails during sunrise, precisely at 4am-6am. If chaturdashi prevails after 6am it is not considered. For example, if chaturdashi tithi begins at 2:30 pm the preceding day and ends at 1pm next day, the next day will be celebrated as Diwali. Contrary to the rest of the nation, diyas are not lit on the night of diwali. Lamps are lit on the night of Karthikai Deepam, in the Tamil solar month of Karthikai.^{[citation needed]}

Uttar Pradesh

Diwali is the most important festival in this predominantly Hindu state and is celebrated with great vigor and gaiety. Diwali is celebrated in memory of Lord Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana and his subsequent homecoming to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. People wear colorful clothes throughout the Diwali festival, and enthusiasm is visible over the entire festival. The ghats of Varanasi come alive with thousands of brightly lit earthen lamps. Visitors throng in large numbers to watch this. Fairs and art festivals are held in the state, a venue for fun and shopping. Other celebrations, such as puja, fireworks, sweets and gifts exchange are similar to the rest of India.

Braj region

In this region, Diwali marks^[57] the killing of Narakasura: Celebrated as Naraka Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali, it commemorates the killing of the evil demon Narakasura, who wreaked havoc. In different versions, either Krishna or Krishna's wife Satyabhama killed Narakasura during the Dwapara yuga. The festival is celebrated over six days. It starts with Govatsa Dwadashi. Go means cow and vatsa means calf. Dwadashi means the 12th day. The story associated with this day is that of King Prithu, son of the tyrant King Vena. Due to the ill rule of Vena, there was a terrible famine and earth stopped being fruitful. Prithu chased the earth, who is usually represented as cow, and ‘milked’ her, meaning that he brought prosperity to the land. On second day, people shop for utensils, clothes, gold and other items. The third day is called Chaturdashi, the day on which the demon Narakasura was killed by Krishna – an incarnation of Vishnu. It signifies the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The day is celebrated with puja, fireworks, and feast. The fourth day, is Diwali night, celebrated like rest of India. The fifth day is Govardhan Puja, celebrated as the day Krishna defeated Indra by the lifting of Govardhana hill to save his kinsmen and cattle from rain and floods. Symbolic mountains of food are prepared representing the Govardhan hill lifted by Krishna, then shared in the community. The last day is Yama Dwitiya where brothers and sisters meet to mark their bond, love and affection for each other. If sister is married and lives in a distant area, the brothers typically visit their sisters’ place on this day and usually have a meal there. The brothers also bring and give gifts to their sisters.

West Bengal, Northeast Bihar, Assam

Main article: Kali puja

Kali Puja is light-up night for West Bengal, Mithila region of Bihar and Assam. Kali Puja coincides with the festival of Diwali (pronounced Dipaboli in Bengali), (in Maithili, it is known as Diya-Baati) where people light diyas/candles in memory of the souls of departed ancestors. The goddess Kali is worshipped, not Lakshmi, for whole night on one night during this festival. The festival is popularly called Kali puja, not Diwali. Kali puja is also known by the names of Shyama puja or Nisha puja in parts of the Mithila region and West Bengal.

In other parts of the world

Diwali is celebrated around the world, particularly in countries with significant populations of Hindu, Jain and Sikh origin. These include Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the Netherlands, Canada, the United Kingdom,United Arab Emirates, and the United States. With more understanding of Indian culture and global migration of people of Indian origin, the number of countries where Diwali/Deepavali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it is becoming part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

Asia

Malaysia

Deepavali is a federal public holiday throughout Malaysia. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. 'Open houses' are held where Hindu Malaysians (of all ethnic groups like Tamils, Telugus and Malayalees) welcome fellow Malaysians of different races and religions to their house for a scrumptious meal. Diwali in Malaysia has become an occasion for goodwill and friendly ties between religious and ethnic groups in Malaysia.

Nepal

Main article: Tihar (festival)

Diwali is known as "Tihar" or "Swanti". It is celebrated during the October/November period. Here the festival is celebrated for five days and the traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day (Kaag tihar), crows are given offerings, considering them to be divine messengers. On the second day (Kukur tihar), dogs are given food for their honesty. On the third day, Laxmi puja is performed. This is the last day according to Nepal Sambat, so many of the businessmen clear their accounts on this day and on finishing it, worship goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day is celebrated as new year. Cultural processions and other celebrations are observed in this day. The Newars celebrate it as "Mha Puja", a special ritual in which the body is worshipped to keep it fit and healthy for the year ahead on this day. On the fifth and final day called "Bhai Tika", brothers and sisters meet and exchange gifts.

In Nepal, family gathering is more significant during Diwali. People in the community play "Deusi and Bhailo" which is a kind of singing and dancing forming a group. People go to all the houses in the community and play songs and dance, and give blessings to the visited house, whereas the home owner gives gifts like rice, Roti, fruits and money. After the festival, people donate some part of the collected money and food to the charity or welfare groups and with the rest of the money and food, they go for a picnic. People also play swing called Dore Ping made out of thick ropes and Pirke Ping or Rangate Ping made out of wood.

Among Gorkhas, after Lakshmi Puja, young girls assemble in a groups four to ten members in a group on Diwali. And they sing/dance and play Dausi in each and every village one by one.^{[citation needed]} The head of the family, of each house they visit, gives them dakshani as a token of gift. They play till Bhaitika (Bhaiduj). Diwali is rejoicingly celebrated during these days.

Singapore

Diwali decorations in Little India is an annual celebration for Hindus in Singapore.^[58]

Deepavali is a gazetted public holiday. Observed primarily by the minority Indian community (Tamils), it is typically marked by a light-up in the Little India district, the heart of the Indian community. Apart from the light-up, other activities such as bazaars, exhibitions, parades and concerts will also take place in Little India. The Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore along with Singapore's government organizes many of these cultural events during this festive period.^[59]

Sri Lanka

This festival, a public holiday in the island nation, is also called "Deepavali" and is celebrated by the Tamil community. On this day, it is traditional for people to take an oil bath in the morning, wear new clothes, exchange gifts, performing Poosai (Pūjā), and a visit to the Koil (Hindu temple) is normal.^{[note 1]} Burning of firecrackers in the evening of the festival is a common practice of this festival. Hindus light oil lamps to invite the blessings of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and to banish any evil from the household for once and for all. The festival is marked by illumination, making of toys of enamel and making of figures out of crystal sugar popularly known as Misiri. Sri Lanka's celebration include many of the traditional aspects of Deepavali such as games, fireworks, singing and dancing, however the tradition of a large meal, family reunions and fireworks are admirably preserved.

Beyond Asia

Australia

Diwali fireworks in Melbourne.^[60]

In Australia, Diwali is celebrated publicly among the people of Indian origin and the local Australians in Melbourne. Diwali At Federation Square has been embraced warmly by the mainstream Victorian population . ‘Celebrate India Inc.’ had started with Diwali Celebrations in the heart of city at the iconic Federation Square in 2006. The event has now become a part of the Melbourne Arts calendar and is celebrated over a week in the city.

Over 56,000 people had visited the Federation square on the last day of the festival last year and had enjoyed the entertaining live music and traditional dances of India, art and crafts as well as the variety of Indian cuisines with the festival culminating in a spectacular fireworks display on the Yarra River.

Many iconic buildings including the Victorian Parliament, Melbourne Museum, Federation Square, Melbourne Airport and the Indian Consulate are decorated over this week. Along with this, many outdoor dance performances and super banners immerse the city in Diwali mood in the City and Melbourne Airport. The Diwali event regularly attracts national organizations like AFL, Cricket Australia, White Ribbon, Melbourne Airport and artists from other communities and India . Their participation and contribution by a team of volunteers makes it a mega event and a show case for Indian community.

From the sheer numbers alone attending over one week period of the festival, Diwali at Federation Square has now been recognized as the biggest celebration in Australia.^{[citation needed]}

Caribbean

In Trinidad and Tobago, communities all over the islands get together and celebrate the festival. One major celebration that stands out is the Diwali Nagar or Village of the Festival of Lights located in Chaguanas, Trinidad. It features stage performances by the east Indian cultural practitioners, a folk theatre featuring skits and plays, an exhibition on some aspect of Hinduism, displays by Hindu religious sects and social organisations, nightly worship of Lakshmi, lighting of deeyas, performances by schools related to Indian culture, and a food court with Indian and non-Indian vegetarian delicacies. Thousands of people participate in the island wide festivities. Sports grounds, schools and other public locations such as parks, host Diwali Celebrations. Diwali celebrations begin with Lakshmi Pooja and continue with lighting deyas and singing, dancing and sharing meals. The festival culminates with fireworks displays ushering in Diwali.^[61]

Fiji

In Fiji, Diwali is a Public Holiday and is a religious event celebrated together by Hindus (who constitute close to a third of Fiji's population), and culturally amongst members of Fiji's races and is a time in the year that is greatly looked forward to. Originally celebrated by imported indentured labourers from the Indian subcontinent during British rule in the then Colony of Fiji during the 19th century, it was set as a holiday at independence in 1970 as the government wished to set aside one religious public holiday each for Fiji's three largest religions, i.e., Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

Diwali in Fiji is often remarked by people from India as being observed on a larger scale then Diwali celebrations in India, as fireworks and Diwali related events begin at least a week before the actual day. Another unique feature is the cultural celebration of Diwali (aside from its traditionally religious celebration) where Fijians of Indian origin or Indo-Fijians, whether Hindu, Christian, Sikh or even Muslim along with the other cultural groups in Fiji celebrate Diwali as a time for sharing with friends and family as well as signalling the beginning of the Holiday season in Fiji. On the commercial side, Diwali is a time for many retail sales and giveaways. Diwali celebrations in Fiji have taken on a flair of its own, markedly different from celebrations on the Subcontinent.

Diwali marks a time for cleaning and buying new and special clothes for the celebrations amongst cultural groups along with dressing up in Saris and other Indian clothing, to work the day before. Homes are cleaned and Oil lamps or diyas are lit. Decorations are made around the home with an array of coloured lights, candles and paper lanterns, as well as the use of religious symbols formed out of coloured rice and chalk. Invitations are made to family, friends and neighbours and houses are opened. Gifts are made and prayers or pooja are made by Hindus. Sweets and vegetable dishes are often eaten during this time and fireworks are fired for days before and after Diwali.

New Zealand

In New Zealand, Diwali is celebrated publicly among many of the South Asian diaspora cultural groups. A large group that celebrates Diwali in New Zealand are members of the Indo-Fijian communities who have migrated and settled there. There are main public festivals in Auckland and Wellington, with other events around the country becoming more popular and visible. An official reception has been held at the New Zealand Parliament since 2003.^[62] Diwali is celebrated by Hindus. The festival signifies the triumph of light over darkness, justice over injustice, good over evil and intelligence over ignorance. Lakshmi Mata is worshiped. Lakshmi Mata is the goddess of light, wealth and beauty. Special Divali foods are barfi and Prasad.

United Kingdom

Diwali decorations in Leicester, United Kingdom.^[63]

In Britain, Hindus celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm. People clean and decorate their homes with lamps and candles. A popular type of candle is a diya. People also give each other sweets such as laddoo and barfi, and the different communities may gather for a religious ceremony and get-together. It is also an important time to contact family in India and perhaps exchange gifts.

The festival of Diwali has begun to find acceptance into the broader British national consciousness as more non-Hindus appreciate and celebrate Hinduism on this occasion.^[64][65] Over the past decade national and civic leaders such as Prince Charles have attended Diwali celebrations at some of UK’s prominent Hindu temples, such as the Swaminarayan Temple in Neasden, using the occasion to commend the Hindu community’s contributions to British life.^[66][67][68] In 2013, Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife joined thousands of worshipers at the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden to celebrate Diwali and the Annakut festival marking the Hindu New Year.^[69] Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated every year at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister.^[70] The yearly celebration, begun by Gordon Brown and continued by David Cameron is one of the most anticipated events hosted by the British Prime Minister.^[71]

Leicester plays hosts to some of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India.^[72]

United States

Several cities in the United States organize Diwali events and celebrations. Above: an event at San Antonio, Texas.^[73]

It was first celebrated in the White House in 2003 and was given official status by the United States Congress in 2007 by the former president George W. Bush.^[74][75] Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali at the White House in 2009. On the eve of his first visit to India as the president of United States, Obama released an official statement sharing best wishes with "those celebrating Diwali."^[76]

The Diwali Mela in Cowboys Stadium boasted an attendance of 100,000 people in 2009. In 2009, San Antonio became the first U.S. city to sponsor an official Diwali celebration including a fireworks display, in 2012, over 15,000 people attended.^[77] In 2011, The Pierre in New York City, now operated by Tata Group's Taj Hotels, hosted its first Diwali celebration.^[78] There are about 3 million Hindus in United States.^[79]

Festival of peace

On this festive occasion, Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities also mark charitable causes, kindness, and for peace. For example, at the international border, every year on Diwali, Indian forces approach Pakistani forces and offer traditional Indian sweets on the occasion of Diwali. The Pakistani soldiers anticipating the gesture, return the goodwill with an assortment of Pakistani sweets.^[80]

Economics of Diwali

Diwali marks a major shopping period in India.^[10] In terms of consumer purchases and economic activity, Diwali is the equivalent of Christmas in the west. It is traditionally a time when households purchase new clothing, home refurbishments, gifts, gold and other large purchases. The festival celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and investment, spending and purchases are considered auspicious.^[81][82] Diwali is a peak buying season for gold and jewelry in India.^[83][84] It is also a major sweets, candy and fireworks buying season. At retail level, about US$ 800 million (INR 5,000 crores) worth of firecrackers are consumed in India over the Diwali season.^[85]

Issues

There has been growing concern and questions on the environmental and health impact of Diwali, as with other major festivals of the world. Air pollution and burn injuries from fireworks are two most studied issues.

Air pollution

Scholars^[86] report that air pollution worsens not as much during fireworks, but after fireworks celebration is over, with peak PM2.5 about four times worse than pre-Diwali levels, and average levels about two times a normal day. This study indicated that there is high accumulation of PM2.5 generated due to fireworks on Diwali festival which remains suspended in the air. The peak pollution lasts for about one day, and the pollutant concentrations return to background levels after 24 hours. Attri et al.^[87] report ground level ozone pollution is also formed Diwali, as with fireworks celebrations around the world on new year eve or respective national Independence Day. The dispersal and decay times for increased ground level ozone is also about one day.

Burn injuries

There is an increase in burn injuries in India during Diwali from fireworks. A firework called anar (fountain) has been found to cause 65% of the injuries. Adults, not children, are typical victims. Newspapers advise use of cold water splash immediately after burn, which along with proper nursing of the wound helps reduce complications. Vast majority of burns are Group I type burns (minor) requiring outpatient care.^[88][89]

Diwali greetings and prayers

This is how people wish each other Happy Diwali in different Languages:

"Shubha Deepawali" शुभ दीपावली: Greeting in Nepali, Hindi and Sanskrit.
"Shubh Diwali" / Diwali ki Shubhkamnayein (दीवाली की शुभकामनाएं): Greeting in Hindi
Diwali Mubarak (દીવાળી મુબારક): Greeting in Gujarati
Shubh Diwali / Diwalichya hardik Shubhechha (शुभ दीवाली / दीवाळीच्या हार्दिक शुभेच्छा ): Greeting in Marathi
Deepavali Nalvazhthukkal (தீபாவளி நல்வாழ்த்துக்கள்) :Greeting in Tamil
Deepavali Shubhakankshalu (దీపావళి శుభాకా౦క్షలు) :Greeting in Telugu
Deepavali Aashamsagal ( ദീപാവലി ആശംസകൾ): Greeting in Malayalam.
Deepavali Habbada Shubhashayagalu (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ ಹಬ್ಬದ ಶುಭಾಶಯಗಳು): Greeting in Kannada
Diwalechi Parbi,दिवाळेची परबी in Goan dialects of Konkani,diwaliche shubhashayu दिवाळिचे शुभाशयु,in dialects of Konkani in Karnataka and Kerala
Tuhanu diwali diyan boht boht vadhaiyan (ਤੁਹਾਨੂੰ ਦਿਵਾਲੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਬਹੁਤ ਬਹੁਤ ਵਧਾਈਆਂ ਹੋਣ ): Greeting in Punjabi
Subho Deepabalir Preeti O Subechsha (শুভ দীপাবলীর প্রীতি ও শুভেচ্ছা) :Greeting in Bengali
Deepavalira Anek Shubhechha (ଦୀପାବଳିର ଅନେକ ଶୁଭେଛା) :Greeting in Oriya
"Happy Deepavali!" :Greeting in English

Prayers

The prayers vary widely by region of India. An example vedic prayer from Brhadaranyaka Upanishad celebrating lights is:^[90][91]

Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।)
Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।)
Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।)
Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥)

Translation:^[92][93]

From untruth lead us to Truth.
From darkness lead us to Light.
From death lead us to Immortality.
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.

Notes

In Sri Lanka, this festival is largely celebrated by the Tamil community scattered in different areas of the island but mostly concentrated in the North and in the East.

References

1. Holiday Calendar Government of India

2. Holiday Calendar Government of India

3. The New Oxford Dictionary of English (1998) ISBN 0-19-861263-X – p.540 "Diwali /dɪwɑːli/ (also Divali) noun a Hindu festival with lights...".

4. Diwali Encyclopedia Britannica (2009)

5. Diwali – Celebrating the triumph of goodness Hinduism Today (2012)

6. Jean Mead, How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, ISBN 978-0-237-534-127

7. Vera, Zak (February 2010). Invisible River: Sir Richard's Last Mission. ISBN 978-1-4389-0020-9. Retrieved 26 October 2011. "First Diwali day called Dhanteras or wealth worship. We perform Laskshmi-Puja in evening when clay diyas lighted to drive away shadows of evil spirits."

8. Pramodkumar (March 2008). Meri Khoj Ek Bharat Ki. ISBN 978-1-4357-1240-9. Retrieved 26 October 2011. "It is extremely important to keep the house spotlessly clean and pure on Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi likes cleanliness, and she will visit the cleanest house first. Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up her path."

9. Solski, Ruth (2008). Big Book of Canadian Celebrations. S&S Learning Materials. ISBN 978-1-55035-849-0. Retrieved 26 October 2011. "Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to chase away evil spirits, so it is a noisy holiday too."

10. India Journal: ‘Tis the Season to be Shopping Devita Saraf, The Wall Street Journal (August 2010)

11. Karen Bellenir (1997), Religious Holidays and Calendars: An Encyclopedic Handbook, 2nd Edition, ISBN 978-0780802582, Omnigraphics

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14. http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/holydays/diwali.shtml

15. "Indian Government Holiday Calendar". National Portal of India. Retrieved 15 March 2010.

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17. Pintchman, Tracy. Guests at God's Wedding: Celebrating Kartik among the Women of Benares, pp. 59–65. State University of New York Press, 2005. ISBN 0-7914-6596-9.

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28. Suzanne Barchers (2013), The Big Book of Holidays and Cultural Celebrations, Shell Education, ISBN 978-1425810481

29. Jacobi, Hermann (1884). Sacred Books of the East. 22: Gaina Sutras Part I.

30. Jean Mead, How and why Do Hindus Celebrate Divali?, ISBN 978-0-237-534-127, pages 8–12

31. Diwali, India's Festival of Light R.M. Hora, National Geographic (2011)

32. Hindu Festivals Hinduism Today (2010)

33. Thompson, Elizabeth Kelley (2013), Shouldn't Their Stories Be Told In Their Voices: International Students’ Experiences of Adjustment Following Arrival to the U.S., Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee

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35. Karen Pechilis (2007), The Journal of Asian Studies, 66(1), pp 273–275

36. Diwali History Indian Express (2007)

37. BUCK, C. (2008), HINDU FESTIVALS, Festivals In Indian Society (2 Vols. Set), Vol 1, ISBN 81-8324-113-1

38. Holm, J. (1984), Growing up in Hinduism, British Journal of Religious Education, 6(3), pages 116–120

39. J Gordon Melton, Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays Festivals Solemn Observances and Spiritual Commemorations, ISBN 978-1598842050, see Diwali, Constance Jones (2011), ABC-CLIO, pp 252–255

40. Note: there are regional variations, which are explained in a separate section.

41. Diwali, the festival of lights Society for the Confluence of Festivals in India (2012)

42. Welcome Goddess Lakshmi with a rangoli Shivangani Dhawan, The Times of India (26 October 2011)

43. /www.indiaexpress.com/faith/festivals/dhistory.html Diwali History

44. John Bowker, ed., Oxford Concise Dictionary of World Religions (Oxford UP, 2000), See Festivals

45. Light up your day The Hindu (28 October 2013)

46. Petrillo, Valerie (28 May 2007). Asian American History. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1-55652-634-3. Retrieved 26 October 2011. "There are firecrackers everywhere to scare off evil spirits and contribute to the festive atmosphere."

47. DeRocco, David; Dundas, Joan; Ian Zimmerman (1996). The International Holiday & Festival Primer. Full Blast Productions. ISBN 978-1-895451-24-5. Retrieved 26 October 2011. "But as well as delighting the spectators, the fireworks are believed to chase away evil spirits."

48. Kadowala, Dilip (1998). Diwali. London: Evans Brothers Limited. ISBN 0-237-51801-5.

49. Aline Dobbie, India, Chapter 3, ISBN 978-0954848026, Melrose Books

50. Sakhardande, Prajal. "Diwali and the Narkasur Battle". The Navahind times. Retrieved 1 November 2013.

51. "Til oil bath marks Chhoti Diwali celebrations". The Times of India. 3 November 2013.

52. "Gujarat goes on standby mode in Diwali week as holidays extended on Gujarati New Year, Bhai Beej". Economic Times. 12 November 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013.

53. M. G. S. Narayanan; K. K. N. Kurup (1976). Historical Studies in Kerala. Department of History, University of Calicut. Retrieved 12 October 2014.

54. Deborah Heiligman, Celebrate Diwali, ISBN 978-1426302916, National Geographic, page 31

55. Diwali 2013: Hindu Festival Of Lights Celebrated All Over The World Nadine DeNinno, International Business Times (November 02 2013)

56. https://ta.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E0%AE%86%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B3%E0%AE%BF

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58. Deepavali Decoration in Singapore Little India, Singapore

59. Deepavali in Singapore Little India, Singapore (2013)

60. Diwali Indian Festival of Light 2013 Federation Square, Multicultural Festivals Melbourne, Australia (October 26, 2013)

61. "Nine-day Diwali event in Trinidad & Tobago". First Post. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2014.

62. Johnson, Henry; Figgins, Guil (2005). "Diwali Downunder: Transforming and Performing Indian Tradition in Aotearoa/New Zealand". New Zealand Journal of Media Studies 9 (1): 25–35. ISSN 1173-0811.

63. Leicester Diwali celebrations draw large crowds BBC News (3 November 2013)

64. Roy, Amit (25 October 2011). "Dazzle at downing, colour at commons". Mumbai Miday. Retrieved 3 November 2013.

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66. PTI (10 November 2007). "Prince Charles, Camilla celebrate Diwali in UK". Times of India. Retrieved 3 November 2013.

67. "Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall Celebrate Diwali at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, London". www.mandir.org. BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha. Retrieved 3 November 2013.

68. Thompson, Jessica Cargill. "Seven wonders of London: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir". Time Out London. Time Out Group. Retrieved 3 November 2013.

69. Jones, Toni (4 November 2013). "Samantha Cameron glitters in a spectacular autumnal sari as she celebrates Diwali on visit to Hindu temple". Daily Mail. Retrieved 4 November 2013.

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71. Roy, Amit (25 October 2011). "Dazzle at downing, colour at commons". Mumbai Miday. Retrieved 3 November 2013.

72. "Diwali – The Festival of Light". Leicester City Council.

73. Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights Texas, United States (2013)

74. Sanchez, Aurelio (2 November 2007). "Fest celebrates triumph of light over dark". The Albuquerque Journal. p. 10. "According to a resolution passed recently by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives, the festival is celebrated by almost 2 million in the United States and many millions more around the world. The bill, H.R. 747, calls for the U.S. Congress to acknowledge 'the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali.'"

75. "US House passes resolution on significance of Diwali". The Hindustan Times. 30 October 2007.

76. "Statement by the President on Diwali". 4 November 2010.

77. Diwali San Antonio Festival of Lights Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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79. "New Jersey Hindus pained as no School Holiday for Diwali in 2014". news.biharprabha.com. Retrieved 10 February 2014.

80. Diwali Lights up India India Today (3 November 2013)

81. India’s banks face pre-Diwali cash crunch James Lamont, The Financial Times (29 October 2010)

82. Diwali lights up consumer spending, festive spirit beats inflation M.G. Arun, India Today (1 November 2013)

83. Festive season to boost India gold buying Bullion Street (15 October 2013)

84. Gold, Key markets: India World Gold Council (2013)

85. Firecrackers to cost a bomb this Diwali The Times of India (24 October 2013)

86. Barman, S. C., Singh, R., Negi, M. P. S., & Bhargava, S. K. (2009). Fine particles (PM2. 5) in ambient air of Lucknow city due to fireworks on Diwali festival, Journal of Environmental Biology , 30(5), pp 625–632

87. Attri, A. K., Kumar, U., & Jain, V. K. (2001). Microclimate: Formation of ozone by fireworks. Nature, 411(6841), pp 1015

88. Mohan, D., & Varghese, M. (1990). Fireworks cast a shadow on India's festival of lights. In World Health Forum (Vol. 11, No. 3, pp. 323–6). World Health Organization

89. Ahuja, R. B., & Bhattacharya, S. (2004). ABC of burns: Burns in the developing world and burn disasters. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 329(7463), 447

90. Jha, J. C. (1976), The Hindu Festival of Divali in the Caribbean, Caribbean Quarterly, pp 53–61; Also see Brhadaranyaka Upanishad, I.iii.28

91. Diwali The Tribune, India (2013); see also Shashanka, S. (2012), Role of Spiritual Science in Leadership and Management, Purushartha: A Journal of Management Ethics and Spirituality, 5(2)

92. Ancient vedic prayer World Prayers Society (2012)

93. Derrett Duncan J. (1999), An Indian metaphor in St John's gospel, Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society (Third Series), 9(2), 271–286

External links

Diwali National Geographic Kids
Diwali in Odisha Government of Odisha, Odisha Review Magazine
Diwali Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
Deepavali in Australia Hindu Council of Australia
Diwali in Canada Diwalifest – Diwali Celebration Society, Canada
Diwali in United Kingdom Leicester City Council, The largest celebration of Diwali in UK
Diwali in Yokohama The largest Indian festival in Japan observed every year, hosted by City of Yokohama (in Japanese)
Deepavali Public Holiday and Local Celebrations, Singapore
US Congressional Record to mark Diwali Congressman Mike Honda, 17th District, US Congress (2013)
Diwali Mahotsav in Chicago BAPS Temple, Chicago, United States