Diwali/Deepavali in India - 2011

Quick Facts

Diwali is a festival of physical and spiritual light celebrated on 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika.

Name

Diwali/Deepavali

Diwali/Deepavali 2011

Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Note: During a gazetted holiday, government offices and most businesses are closed so people have a day off work.
List of dates for other years

Diwali (Dīvali, Dīpāwali, Deepavali, Dipabali) is a festival of lights and is a gazetted holiday in India. Followers of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism observe various customs related to Diwali.

Beautiful sky lanterns made of colorful cloth for sale for the Diwali festival in India. ©iStockphoto.com/thefinalmiracle

What do people do?

Diwali celebrations may last for up to five days. Many people decorate their home and workplaces with tiny electric lights or small clay oil lamps. Bowls of water with candles and flowers floating on the surface are also popular decorations.
Many people make a special effort to clean their homes and yards before Diwali. They may also wash themselves with water and fragrant oils, wear new clothes and give gifts of sweets to family members, close friends and business associates. Fireworks are set off in the evening in some areas. Melas (fairs) are held in many towns and villages.
People in different regions in India may celebrate Diwali on various dates. This is because traditional lunar calendars can be interpreted in different ways. For example, Deepavali in Tamil Nadu is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aipasi.

Public life

Government offices, post offices and banks are closed in India on Diwali. Stores and other businesses and organizations may be closed or have reduced opening hours. Transport is usually unaffected as many locals travel for religious celebrations. However those wishing to use public transport on the day should check with the local transport authorities on public transit schedules.

Background

Deepawali or Diwali is a festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness.  The word “Deepawali” refers to rows of diyas, or clay lamps. This is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated on the 15th day of Kartika, according to the Hindu calendar. This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile. The myths around Rama and Ravana are told during another holiday, known as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.
The Goddess Lakshmi was Vishnu’s consort and she symbolizes wealth and prosperity. She is also worshipped on Diwali. This festival is celebrated in West Bengal as "Kali Puja", and Kali, Shiva's consort, is worshipped during Diwali. The Diwali festival in southern India often commemorates the conquering of the Asura Naraka, a king of Assam who imprisoned many people. It is believed that Krishna freed the prisoners.
Many Buddhists in India mark anniversary of the Emperor Ashoka’s conversion to Buddhism around the time of Diwali. Many scholars believe that Ashoka lived between 270BCE and 232 BCE. Many people who observe Jainism mark the anniversary of Mahavira's (or Lord Mahavir) attainment of nirvana on October 15, 527 BCE. Mahavira established the central spiritual ideas of Jainism. Many Jains celebrate the Festival of Lights in his honor.
Bandi Chhorh Divas, which is the Sikh celebration of the sixth Nanak's (Guru Har Gobind) return from detention in the Gwalior Fort, coincides with Diwali. This coincidence has resulted in the similarity of celebrating the day among many Sikhs and Hindus.

Symbols

Electric lights, small oil lamps made of clay and flames are important Diwali symbols. They represent both physical and spiritual aspects of light.

Diwali/Deepavali Observances

Deepavali (also: Depawali, Dipavali, Dewali, Diwali, Divali, Dipotsavi, Dipapratipad ) marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar Calendar. It literally translated means 'Row of Lights' (from Sanskrit: dipa = lamp / awali = row, line). It celebrates the victory of Goodness over Evil and Light over Darkness - it ushers in the new year. Especially for this event people are cleaning their houses and wear new clothes. Diwali is a 5 day festival as Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi (Main) Diwali, Padwa and Bhaiduj. There are many different names for the days of Diwali in different regions of India (South & North India, East & West India) and in the different languages spoken in that regions (i.e. Hindi, Urdu, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Bengali). During Deepavali people pray to Lakshmi, Goddess of wealth, light, prosperity and wisdom, but also to Ganesha, the 'Remover of Obstacles' and the 'Lord of Beginnings'.

Deepavali celebrations take place in many countries in the world. On the first day of the Diwali festival people pray and having a special breakfast made of many different foods. The Hindu Goddess Lakshmi's statue and images are carried through the streets in processions. There are various legends and stories associated with the Diwali festival. The story of Bali, Emergence of Laxmi, Krishna Narakasur Fight, Victory of Rama over Ravana and many more. Dipa Lights (also called Diwali Diyas, Kandils, Ghee Lamps or Parvati Ganesha Lamps) - made of clay, fueled with Oil from Coconuts, Mustard or Ghee (clarified butter), the wick made of cotton wool - are placed outside of houses, on floors and doorways. During Diwali festival, doorways are hung with torans of mango leaves and marigolds. Deepavali Melas are being enjoyed by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains & Buddhists alike. On the day of Deepavali people exchange gifts, bursting firecrackers, lighting fireworks, colourful sparklers & bonfires and having festive meals. Diwali Melas (fairs) are held throughout India and the celebrations abroad. The Indian Festival of Lights takes place after the monsoon season has finished and the weather is nice and pleasant again.

Wishing Happy Diwali to everyone! Deepavali Valthukkal!! Shubh Diwali!! 

Romantic Diwali

Miss Diwali 2010 (Florida)

Send us your best Deepavali/Diwali Pictures !

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Thank you !
HAPPY DEEPAVALI !


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Lord Ganesh is being prayed to on Deepavali

Indian Population
Living Outside of India

Worldwide there are an estimate of 25 million Non-Resident Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) living in countries other than India. Those estimates vary between 25 to over 30 mio. The entire NRI population is dominated by people from the southern indian states. According to recent estimates, over 54% of NRIs have their origin in South India, while only 23% are from the North, followed by 19% from the West and only 5% from East India. More details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-resident_Indian_and_Person_of_Indian_Origin

Population of Indians Worldwide

Country	Number of Indians	Remarks
India	1,166 mio	Diwali Festival Celebrations in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Jaipur, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Tamilnadu, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Srinagar, Agra, Surat, Kanpur, Nagpur, Indore, Bhopal, Thane, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Nashik, Vadodara, Rajkot, Meerut, Patna
Nepal	4.0 mio	14% of population, Deepavali is called "Tihar" and "Swanti" here
USA	2.8 mio	most Indians in California (Cupertino, Los Angeles, Freemont, Palo Alto), New York City (NYC), Atlanta/Georgia, Indianapolis/Indiana & New Jersey
Myanmar / Burma	2.0-2.9 mio	2% of population, estimates vary significantly
Malaysia	2.1 mio	8% of population, most Tamil (also Malayalam- & Telugu speaking), called "Hari Diwali" here, Celebrations in Kuala Lumpur (KL)
United Arab Emirates	1.5 mio
Saudi-Arabia	1.5 mio
United Kingdom (UK)	1.4 mio	2.7% of population (2nd largest ethnic minority in Britain), most in London, Leicester is famous for it's Diwali celebrations
South Africa (RSA)	1.2 mio	most living in eastern regions of Natal and Transvaal
Canada	970,000	more than 70% of Indians live in Toronto/Ontario, Vancouver & Calgary
Mauritius	860,000	63-70% of population (80% are Hindus)
Sri Lanka	850,000
Kuwait	580,000
Trinidad and Tobago	550,000	Chaguanas hosts the Divali Nagar site
Oman	450,000
Singapore	400,000	3rd largest ethnic group (9-10%), most prominent in Little India District
Fiji	340,000
Guyana	330,000	33% of population
Australia	260,000	1.2% of population, celebrated in Melbourne (Sandown Race Course)
Rèunion	220,000
Netherlands	217,000
Suriname	180,000
Bahrain	150,000
New Zealand	105,000
Yemen	101,000
Kenya	100,000
Tanzania	90,000
Uganda	90,000
Jamaica	90,000
France	75,000
Italy	72,000
Portugal	70,000
Thailand	65,000	Diwali is called "Lam Kriyongh" here
Indonesia	55,000	2% of population, Bali is known for it's Diwali Festival celebrations (the majority here are Indians)
Guadeloupe	55,000
Israel	45,000
Philippines	40,000
Hong Kong	40,000
Germany	35,000
Cuba	34,000
Japan	21,000

Note: All numbers are estimates from various sources without any warranty.

Beautiful Rangoli with Diya Lights (Indian Candles)

Diwali in Ahmedabad / India

Diwali (Deepavali) (Deepawali)  India is a melting pot of races and religions. Every religion has its own unique style of celebration. But Diwali (Deepawali), the Festival of Light, is celebrated with fervor and gaiety among all races and religions. The festival symbolizes unity in diversity. The celebration of this five-day festival commences on Aswayuja Bahula Chaturdasi and ends on Kartika Shudda Vijiya.  Hindus all over the world celebrate Deepawali with great enthusiasm. This is a major Hindu festival honouring Mother Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth. Diwali is a holy tradition, not to be put in the shade. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light refers to knowledge. Celebrated joyously all over India, it is a festival of wealth and prosperity.  Deepavali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, on Amavasya - the 15th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Ashwin (Aasho) in (Oct/ Nov) every year.  Diwali is a festival synonymous with celebrations in India and is an occasion for jubilation and togetherness. This is an occasion for people of all religions. At the metaphysical level, Deepawali is a festival signifying the victory of good over evil. People believe that the latter is destroyed and reduced to ashes by fireworks. This festival is celebrated on a grand scale in almost all regions of India and is looked upon mainly as the beginning of a New Year.  On this day of Diwali (Deepavali) people light small oil lamps (called diyas) and place them around their homes, in courtyards, gardens, verandahs, on the walls and also on the roof tops. In cities, candles are substituted by diyas; and among the riches, candles are made to substitute for fashionable lights. The celebration of the festival is customarily accompanied by the exchange of sweets and lighting crackers. On the night of Diwali, all the shops & offices are decorated with electrical bulbs of various colors. They are filled to capacity in this festive season. People visit their friends and relatives and present them sweets. Many people make "rangoli" inside & outside their house. Rangoli is a pattern which is made on the floor, normally by coloured powder, but in the house it is made with paint. In the evening the family prays to Laskmi, the goddess of wealth. Then people put diyas (oil lamps) all around the house. About 8.00 pm the fireworks start. This is the time when the whole country is lit up and fireworks continue uptill midnight. In north India, Deepavali is celebrated as an auspicious occasion of Rama's homecoming from fourteen years of exile and also after defeating Ravana and his coronation as king; In Gujarat, the festival is celebrated to honour goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth; and in Bengal, it is related with goddess Kali. Everywhere it is celebrated with the same spirit and signifies the renewal of life.  Diwali is also celebrated outside India mainly in Britain, U.S.A., Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, and Australia among the Hindus world over. Whatever may be the legend behind the festival but people celebrate it with great enthusiasm. In this festive season people exchange sweets, wear new clothes and buy precious items for celebration and enjoyment. Kuber Temple

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