Girl lighting diyas for Diwali
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of India’s most important religious festivals. Held over five days every autumn at the beginning the month of Kartika (the eighth month in the Hindu calendar), this festival celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and is often referred to as the festival of light.
Diwali legends and traditions vary significantly throughout India, but most celebrations include the lighting of candles or oil lamps called diyas and ritual worship of the goddess Lakshmi. People also celebrate by buying new clothes, visiting friends and family with gifts of dried fruit and nuts. Fireworks are also popular during the festival.
Another popular Diwali tradition is the creation of rangoli, geometric designs made of colored sand, rice, flower petals, chalk or flour. These artistic patterns are created to welcome deities into the home and can be created by hand or using special patterned sieves.
The ambiance throughout India during this time is festive, with special melas, or fairs, to mark the occasion. These fairs usually have performers, food stalls, and lots of craft vendors, and some have rides or other attractions for children. Shopping malls and independent boutiques hold annual sales during this time, and impromptu stalls selling candles and oil lamps, fireworks, and gift boxes full of sweets and nuts start popping up around market areas a few weeks before the festivities start.
-Margot Bigg
Celebrate the Diwali Festival this year with a local Indian family in Delhi, Jaipur, or Mumbai or book a five-night Diwali experience.
