What is Diwali? The Ultimate Guide to the Festival of Lights
The Diwali festival, an annual celebration that illuminates homes and hearts across the globe, is one of the most significant and joyous occasions in Indian culture. Known as the “Festival of Lights,” it is a time of immense celebration, marked by the warm glow of diyas, the dazzling spectacle of fireworks, the sharing of delicious food, and the creation of intricate art. More than just a festival, Diwali is a profound symbol of the eternal victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
As the festive season of 2025 approaches, this guide will serve as your ultimate resource to understand every aspect of this beautiful festival. We will explore the famous Diwali story, explain who celebrates it, and delve into its cherished traditions, from Diwali food to Diwali rangoli designs.
What is Diwali Also Known As?
The word “Diwali” is a contraction of the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which translates to “a row (avali) of lights (deepa).” This name perfectly captures the festival’s most iconic image: countless rows of earthen lamps (diyas) lit on the dark new moon night, creating a mesmerizing spectacle of light.
Who Celebrates Diwali?
While it is most famously a Hindu festival, the message and joy of Diwali are celebrated by several other religions, making it a truly multicultural event:
- Hindus celebrate it to honor the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya and to worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
- Jains celebrate it as the day Lord Mahavira attained nirvana (spiritual enlightenment).
- Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the day their sixth guru, Guru Hargobind, was released from prison.
- It has also become a major cultural festival for the Indian diaspora worldwide, a time to connect with their heritage and share their traditions with the global community.
The Diwali Story: The Return of Lord Rama
The most popular and widely told Diwali story is connected to the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana to their kingdom of Ayodhya after 14 long years in exile. Their return was a momentous occasion, as it came after Lord Rama had defeated the ten-headed demon king Ravana, who had abducted Sita.
To celebrate the triumphant return of their beloved king and to light his path on a dark new moon night, the people of Ayodhya illuminated the entire kingdom. They lit thousands of diyas in and around their homes and on the streets, transforming the city into a spectacle of light and joy. This tradition of lighting lamps continues to this day as the central celebration of Diwali, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and the welcoming of righteousness.
Key Traditions and Celebrations of the Diwali Festival
Diwali is celebrated with a number of beautiful and joyous traditions that families cherish.
Diwali Rangoli Designs
A staple of Diwali decorations, Diwali rangoli designs are intricate and colorful patterns created on the floor at the entrance of homes. This traditional art form is a creative expression of welcome for guests and, most importantly, for the Goddess Lakshmi. Rangolis are made using a variety of materials, including fine colored powders, ground rice flour, flower petals, and colored sand.
Diwali Food: A Feast of Sweets and Savories
No Indian festival is complete without a feast, and Diwali food is all about indulgence. Families prepare a wide array of special dishes, especially sweets (mithai), which are shared with friends, family, and neighbors.
- Popular Sweets: Kaju Katli (cashew fudge), Ladoo, Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, and various types of Barfi.
- Popular Savory Snacks: Samosas, Chakli (murukku), Mathri, and Namak Para.
Diwali Fireworks and Lights
The essence of Diwali is light. Homes are cleaned and decorated with strings of electric lights and, most importantly, rows of traditional clay diyas. Diwali fireworks are another key part of the celebration. The light and sound of the firecrackers are believed to ward off evil spirits and are an expression of the joy and excitement of the festival. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness and trend towards community fireworks displays and more eco-friendly options to reduce noise and air pollution.
10 Points About Diwali (A Quick Summary)
Here are ten quick facts to understand the festival at a glance:
- Diwali (Deepavali) is the Festival of Lights.
- It stands for the triumph of light and goodness over darkness and evil.
- The main day of Diwali in 2025 will be celebrated on Friday, October 31st.
- The full festival is a five-day celebration, starting with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj.
- The most famous Diwali story is about Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya.
- Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs all celebrate Diwali for different historical reasons.
- Homes are decorated with oil lamps (diyas), lights, and colorful rangoli designs.
- Special Diwali food, especially a variety of sweets (mithai), is a central part of the celebration.
- Families perform the Lakshmi Puja to worship the goddess of wealth.
- It is a time for spring-cleaning the home, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts, and gathering with family.