Diwali
What is Diwali?
Diwali (Deepavali or Deepawali or Dipawali) is one of the India's
biggest festivals. Diwali means rows of lighted lamps. Diwali is an
important religious festival originating in India. People often think
of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated
by Sikhs and Jains. In India, Diwali is now considered to be more of
a national festival, and is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of
faith. Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri
Lanka, Singapore.
Diwali takes place annually and lasts for five days, marking the start
of the Hindu New Year. The exact dates change each year and are Two young girls light the candles they have
determined by the position of the moon – but it usually falls laid out to celebrate Diwali.
between October and November. In 2020 Diwali falls on the 14th –
19th November. Why is it called Diwali?
For many people, Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of The word "Divali/Diwali" is a variation of
wealth, Lakshmi. The lights and lamps are said to help Lakshmi find the Sanskrit word "Deepavali" which
her way into peoples’ homes, bringing prosperity in the year to means "a continuous line of lamps" (The
come! Hindus light up their homes and shops, to welcome Goddess word 'Deep' means "light", and 'avali'
Lakshmi to give them good luck for the year ahead. means "a continuous line"). Thus, Diwali is
the time to celebrate with lights. Diwali is
known as the "Festival of Lights". This is
probably because of the manner in which
The story of Diwali: it is observed. The festival is traditionally
Once upon a time there was a great warrior, Prince Rama, who celebrated with activities like bursting
had a beautiful wife named Sita. crackers, lighting rows of candles and
There was also a terrible demon king, Ravana. He had twenty diyas (earthen lamps) around individual
arms and ten heads, and was feared throughout the land. He
homes, holding dazzling fireworks display
wanted to make Sita his wife, and one day he kidnapped her
and took her away in his chariot. Clever Sita left a trail of her and igniting colourful sparklers.
jewellery for Rama to follow.
it’s not just about lights and legends ––
Rama followed the trail of glittering jewellery until he met the
monkey king, Hanuman, who became his friend and agreed to Diwali is a time to have fun with friends
help find Sita. Messages were sent to all the monkeys in the and family! People exchange gifts and
world, and through them to all the bears, who set out to find sweets, enjoy delicious feasts, watch
Sita. firework displays and wear new clothes.
After a very long search, Hanuman found Sita imprisoned on an It’s a time to clean and decorate your
island. Rama's army of monkeys and bears couldn't reach the
home, too.
island, so they began to build a bridge. Soon all the animals of
the world, large and small, came to help. When the bridge was
built, they rushed across it and fought a mighty battle.
When Rama killed the evil Ravana with a magic arrow, the
whole world rejoiced. Rama and Sita began their long journey
back to their land, and everybody lit oil lamps to guide them on
their way and welcome them back.
Ever since, people light lamps at Diwali to remember that light
triumphs over dark and good triumphs over evil.
Fireworks are also a tradition during the
Diwali festival.
