What is Diwali?
Diwali (also Deepavali or Dipavali) is a five-day festival of lights celebrated across Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and some Buddhist communities, typically occurring in late October or early November on the new moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartika. The name derives from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival centers on the lighting of oil lamps (diyas), fireworks, prayers to deities—especially Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth—family gatherings, gift exchange, and ritual cleansing of homes and businesses. Each religion has its own historical narrative behind the holiday, but they all ultimately represent the victory of good over evil.
Origins & Lineage
The most ancient mention of the holiday appears in the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana (3rd century CE), where it is called Yaksharatri, or “night of yakshas” (nature spirits led by Kubera, the god of wealth). The Puranas (400–1500 CE) provide the most comprehensive picture of Diwali, though the festival is also mentioned in the Nilamata Purana (c. 7th century) from Kashmir, the Yashastilaka by the Jain monk Somadeva (10th century), and the 11th-century account Taḥqīq mā li-l-hind by the Muslim scholar al-Bīrūnī. Ancient Indian texts like the Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Kalika Purana, as well as Harsha’s play Nagananda and stone and copper inscriptions, reference the festival as Deepotsava, Deepotsavam, Deepavali, Divali, and Divalige.
The festival’s mythology varies by region and tradition. In northern India, a common tale associated with Diwali concerns King Rama, one of the incarnations of the god Vishnu, who builds an army of monkeys to rescue his wife Sita after an evil king in Lanka captures her. The people of Ayodhya lit rows of lamps to welcome Rama home after 14 years of exile—a story from the Ramayana. In southern India, Diwali commemorates Krishna’s (another Vishnu incarnation) defeat of the demon Narakasura, as recounted in the Bhagavata Purana. For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death. Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobind’s return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalior. Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE.
How It’s Practiced
Diwali spans five days, beginning on the 13th day (Dhanteras) of the dark fortnight of Ashwin and extending into the month of Kartika. Each day carries specific rituals: Dhanteras honors wealth and prosperity through the purchase of gold or silver; Naraka Chaturdashi involves early-morning oil baths; the main Diwali day (amavasya, the new moon) centers on Lakshmi puja and lamp-lighting; Govardhan Puja follows with offerings to Krishna; and Bhai Dooj celebrates sibling bonds.
Practitioners clean and whitewash homes, draw intricate rangoli (rice-flour designs) at thresholds, light rows of clay oil lamps (diyas) or candles throughout homes and public spaces, and set off fireworks after sunset. Families conduct formal prayers (puja) to Lakshmi and Ganesha using flowers, incense, sweets, and sacred verses. New clothes are worn, elaborate feasts prepared (especially sweets like ladoos and barfi), and gifts exchanged among relatives and business associates. Merchants open new account books, and many consider it an auspicious time for new ventures. Temples hold extended evening ceremonies with devotional singing (bhajan and kirtan).
The sensory experience is vivid: the warm flicker of hundreds of oil lamps, the sulfurous scent of fireworks, the bell-ringing and chanting from household altars, the sweetness of cardamom and saffron in festival foods, the crush of family gatherings and street processions.
Diwali Today
Contemporary seekers encounter Diwali through temple celebrations in diaspora communities across North America, Europe, and Asia, where public lamp-lighting ceremonies and cultural programs attract both South Asian and interfaith participants. Yoga and meditation centers often host Diwali-themed workshops on inner light and self-knowledge, linking the external lamp-lighting to practices of spiritual illumination. Retreat centers in India—particularly around Rishikesh, Varanasi, and Kerala—offer immersive experiences timed to the festival, combining traditional ritual with teachings on Hindu cosmology and devotional practice.
Online platforms stream Lakshmi puja ceremonies, Diwali kirtan sessions, and scholarly talks on the festival’s textual roots. Teachers like Sadhguru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, and Ammachi address Diwali’s symbolic significance in YouTube videos and podcasts. The festival has gained institutional recognition: California became the first U.S. state to declare Diwali an official holiday in 2023, and the White House has hosted annual Diwali celebrations since the early 2000s.
Environmental concerns about fireworks have prompted “green Diwali” initiatives emphasizing traditional oil lamps over pyrotechnics, and organic rangoli materials over synthetic dyes.
Common Misconceptions
Diwali is not a single-day event—it unfolds over five days with distinct observances. It is not exclusively Hindu; Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists celebrate it with different theological emphases. The festival is not uniform across India: northern traditions center Rama’s return, southern traditions honor Krishna’s victory, western (Gujarat) traditions focus on the New Year and Lakshmi worship, and eastern (Bengal) traditions sometimes overlap with Kali Puja.
Diwali does not have a fixed Gregorian date—it follows the lunar calendar, shifting annually between mid-October and mid-November. While often called the “Hindu New Year,” this is only accurate for certain regional calendars (Gujarat, parts of Rajasthan); other Hindu communities observe New Year at different times (Ugadi in spring, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu).
The lamps are not merely decorative—they carry theological weight as symbols of jnana (knowledge) dispelling avidya (ignorance), and in Jainism specifically mark Mahavira’s final liberation. Fireworks, while popular, are a relatively modern addition (post-18th century) and not scripturally mandated.
How to Begin
Those new to Diwali can start by attending a public celebration at a local Hindu temple or cultural center during the festival—most welcome visitors and offer explanations of the rituals. Contact the temple in advance to inquire about visitor protocols (removing shoes, appropriate dress, photography restrictions).
Read a good English translation of the Ramayana by Ramesh Menon or the Bhagavad Gita (translation by Eknath Easwaran) to understand the mythic and philosophical context. For the Jain perspective, consult The Jains by Paul Dundas.
Learn a simple Lakshmi mantra (“Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha”) and the practice of lighting an oil lamp with intention. Purchase a small brass or clay diya, fill it with ghee or sesame oil, insert a cotton wick, and light it at dusk while reciting the mantra—this can be done on any Diwali evening or as a daily practice.
Explore recordings of Diwali bhajans and Lakshmi aartis by artists like Anuradha Paudwal or MS Subbulakshmi to absorb the devotional soundscape. Consider a pilgrimage to Varanasi or Ayodhya during Diwali season if seeking full immersion, or join a Diwali retreat offered by centers like Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) or Art of Living International Center (Bangalore), which combine traditional celebration with meditation and yoga instruction.