Here is how the Hindu holiday of Deepawali is observed in many regions of India, despite the fact that diyas, fairylights, lamps, firecrackers, and rangoli are regular sights on this day. Diwali, also known as Deepawali, falls on the fifteenth day of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, and will be observed in India this year on October 24. Although diyas, fairylights, lamps, firecrackers, and rangoli are typical Deepawali sights, the Hindu festival is observed in various ways around the nation.
The divine celebration of Diwali is warmly welcomed by every Indian. The country unites on this auspicious day, despite differences in cultures and backgrounds. One of the most cherished Indian holidays of the year is marked by lights, presents, rangolis, happiness, and laughing. Diwali traditions and activities differ from state to state, despite the fact that the festival’s core remains the same throughout the nation.
Diwali represents the return of Ram, Sita, and Laxman to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile for Hindus in Northern India. Since it was a new moon day in the Kartik season and it was dark everywhere, Ram was greeted home with diyas and fireworks that had been lit throughout the kingdom.
Therefore, the lighting of the diya represents the victory of good over evil when people get together to celebrate Diwali and there is joy all around. Even today, people still burn diyas and let off fireworks in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, and surrounding areas. On Diwali night, people still gamble in Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Punjab.
A few groups mark the day as the beginning of the New Year because many associate it with the appearance of Goddess Lakshmi during the Samudra Manthan (the churning of the ocean of milk), which took place between the gods and demons.Typically, individuals observe Dhanteras on the 13th day of the dark fortnight, when they purchase gold or silver as part of an auspicious ritual, and Bhai Dooj or Bhai Phota (as it is known in Bengal), when they give prayers for their brothers’ well-being and host feasts in their honour.
Uttar Pradesh
For Hindus in Northern India, Diwali symbolises the return of Ram with wife Sita and brother Laxman to Ayodhya after being exiled for 14 years. When he returned, Ram was welcomed home with diyas and fireworks which were lighted throughout the kingdom since it was a new moon day in the month of Kartik season and it was dark all around.
People flock to cities like Ayodhya and Varanasi during Diwali. According to sources, Ayodhya will commemorate Deepotsav this year by illuminating 12 lakh clay lights, nine lakh of which would be placed along the Saryu River’s banks. Additionally planned are the staging of Ram Lila programmes, a laser show, and fireworks. There will also be river worship through Ganga Arati and candle offerings on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi . If you are unable to attend the celebration right away, you could consider going to Varanasi’s Dev Deepavali later in the month.
Punjab
Even though the Sikhs do not observe Diwali, they participate in the festivities by lighting their homes with candles and diyas on the night of Diwali. Gurdwaras in Punjab are also illuminated during this time.
Diwali heralds the arrival of winter in Punjab. The first batch of seeds are sown as farmers get ready for the growing season. The same day is “Bandi Chhor Diwas,” which is observed by Sikhs. The festival honours the freedom day. Thousands of earthen lamps and pyrotechnics are used to illuminate the Golden Temple and a “langar” (free kitchen) is available to anyone who visit the holy site to offer their prayers.
West Bengal
Diwali and Kali Puja both fall on the same day in West Bengal. The day prior, Bengalis will light 14 earthen lamps in remembrance of their ancestors and consume the “choddo shaak,” a seasonal health treatment made up of a combination of 14 leafy vegetables and medicinal plants.
During Diwali, Bengalis celebrate the goddess of power, Kali. Ganesha is revered in some houses because he is a representation of good fortune. The rituals of lighting candles, diyas, and lighting firecrackers are still practised in Eastern India, but some devotees also leave their lit homes’ doors open for Lakshmi to enter since they think the goddess won’t enter a dark home.
The night of Diwali is believed to be the night of the ancestors or Pitripurush, where diyas are lit on long poles to guide their souls on the way to heaven—a practise still practised in rural Bengal in modern times. West Bengal celebrates Diwali as Kali Puja, with late-night worship of Kali on Diwali night, Kali Puja pandals in various areas, rangoli drawings, and Kali Puja celebrations.
Gujarat
Diwali signifies the conclusion of the customary year for the Gujarati community. Lakshmi Puja is held after thorough preparations. The revelry comes to an end with the commencement of business for the New Year on the day of Labh Pancham, which falls on the fifth day after Diwali. Numerous rituals related to Diwali and to fend off the evil eye are carried out in houses.
Few days prior to Diwali, rangoli-making and the painting of footprints to welcome Laxmi are essential parts of the celebrations of Diwali, which is the Gujarati people’s New Year. A highly lucky Diwali tradition in Gujarat is to keep a diya lit with ghee and leave it burning all night. The following morning, gather the flame from this diya and use it to produce kajal, which women apply to their eyes and is said to bring fortune for the entire year.
Maharashtra
In Maharashtra, Vasu Baras marks the start of the Diwali celebrations. Here, Chhoti Diwali is observed as Narak Chaturdashi whereas Dhanteras is observed as Dhantrayodashi. On the day of the celebration, Maharashtrians offer prayers to the goddess Lakshmi and commemorate the marriage pact by participating in Diwali Cha Padva. Bhaav Bij marks the conclusion of the festivities and Tulsi Vivah ushers in the wedding season.
Hindus in Maharashtra observe Diwali for four days, beginning on Vasubaras with an Aarti of cows and calves to symbolise the bond between a mother and her child. The second day of Diwali is known as Dhanteras or Dhanatrayodashi, while the third day is Narakchaturdashi, when people visit a temple and take scented oil baths early in the morning before feasting on a special Faral dish that includes spicy foods like “chakli” and “sev” and sweet treats like “karanji” and “ladoo.” The fourth day is the main Diwali day, when Lakshmi Puja is performed by worshipping Lakshmi and items of wealth like money and jewellery.
Goa
Like Goa, probably no other state observes Narak Chaturdashi. Before being set ablaze, Narkasur effigies are paraded around the streets. The celebration of light has officially begun, signalling the defeat of evil and darkness. Weeks before the major event, people start working on the effigies, letting their imaginations run wild to give the demon the most horrible, or occasionally playful, features. It’s also typical to hold contests to determine which effigy has the best design.
Tamil Nadu
In the southern Indian states, Deepavali (also known as Diwali) festivities start the day before. The major day of the celebration for the southern region of the country is Narak Chaturdashi, which is identical to Chhoti DIwali as it is observed in the northern states. The day in Tamil Nadu starts with an oil bath before daybreak, and other rituals are performed during this time. Tamilians offer neivedyam to the gods and light the “kuthu vilaku” (lamp). Before home entrances and even on roadways, kolam (painted with a mixture of rice powder and increasing white or coloured chalk) is used as decoration. As a preventative measure against indigestion that individuals could have after five days of feasting during this time, they also make an Ayurvedic medication called “lehyam.”
Andhra Pradesh
Every Diwali, Andhra Pradesh residents shout prayers and ask the clay idol of Satyabhama for blessings. After that, they start eagerly celebrating Diwali with their loved ones. Because it is thought that Satyabhama, the consort of Krishna, defeated the demon Narakasura, prayers are offered to particular clay idols of Satyabhama during the celebration of Diwali in Andhra Pradesh.
Karnataka
Two important holidays are observed in Karnataka: Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi and Bali Padyami. People take an oil bath on Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi. On Bali Padyami, they build forts out of cow dung and tell tales of King Bali.People begin the Ashwija Krishna Chaturdashi or Diwali day in Karnataka by having an oil bath because it is thought that Krishna did the same to get rid of the blood stains on his body after killing Narakasura. On Bali Padyami, the third day of Diwali in Karnataka, women decorate their homes with vibrant rangolis, construct forts out of cow dung, and tell tales about King Bali.
Odisha
The people of Odisha worship the ancestors in heaven on the auspicious festival of Diwali. They burn jute sticks to seek blessings and receive luck on this day.While the holiday in Western India is mostly connected to commerce and trade where new endeavours, the purchase of properties, the opening of offices and businesses, and special occasions like marriages are considered auspicious, the Hindu population in Odisha also pays homage to ancestors during Diwali.
Derived from the word ‘Deepavali’, Diwali is popularly known as the festival of light celebrated by Indians across the world.Although the significance of the festival may differ from one region to another, lighting of earthen lamps at temples and homes is the common element
