Diwali, known as Deepavali, is one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. People often call it the “Festival of Lights”—and rightly so. During Diwali, families and shopkeepers light up homes, streets, and even the tiniest corners of cities and villages with glowing lamps, candles, and colorful lights. It is a time of great joy, happiness, and togetherness.

Though Diwali is mainly a Hindu festival, people from all religions and cultures join in the celebration with equal enthusiasm. not just a religious event but also a cultural one, where families come together, old bonds are rekindled, and hearts are filled with love and light.

The Story Behind Diwali Festival

According to the Ramayana, Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana returned to their kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. During this time, Rama defeated the demon king Ravana, who had kidnapped Sita. The people of Ayodhya so overjoyed at their return that they decorated the entire city with earthen lamps (called diyas), flowers, and rangolis. The night lit up with lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Since then, people celebrated every year to honor this homecoming.

In other parts of India, especially in the west and south, Diwali associated as worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It believed that on this day, she visits homes that are clean and well-lit and blesses the people with fortune and happiness.

How Diwali Festival Celebrated ?

Diwali celebrated over five days, with each day having its own significance and customs.

Day 1: Dhanteras
The first day is Dhanteras, which comes from the words “Dhan” (meaning wealth) and “Teras” (meaning the 13th day of the lunar calendar). On this day, people buy gold, silver, new utensils, or other valuable items. It believed that purchasing something on Dhanteras brings good luck and wealth throughout the year. Homes are cleaned, and small diyas are lit in the evening to welcome prosperity.

Day 2: Choti Diwali or Naraka Chaturdashi
The second day known as Choti Diwali (meaning “Small Diwali”) or Naraka Chaturdashi. This day marks the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon Narakasura. People start decorating their homes with rangoli, flowers, and lights. People made Sweets and families start exchanging gifts and snacks. Some people also burst a few firecrackers on this day as a symbol of joy.

This is the main day of Diwali and the most grandly celebrated. People wake up early, take oil baths, and wear new clothes. Families perform the Lakshmi Puja in the evening, worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles), and sometimes even Lord Kuber (god of wealth). The puja followed by lighting diyas and candles around the house, creating a magical atmosphere of glowing lights.

Day 3: Main Diwali Day

After the puja, people step out to burst firecrackers, share sweets with neighbors, and enjoy delicious food. The night is lively and full of laughter, light, and the sounds of celebration. Many people also decorate their balconies and terraces with fairy lights, hanging lanterns, and even fireworks.

Day 4: Govardhan Puja or Annakut
The fourth day celebrated as Govardhan Puja in the northern parts of India, marking the day when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers from heavy rain. People make small hill-like structures with food or cow dung and worship them.

In some places, this govardhan puja called Annakut, which means “mountain of food.” Huge varieties of food items are offered to God in temples, especially in Vaishnav temples (followers of Lord Krishna).

Day 5: Bhai Dooj
The fifth and final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, a day to celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters pray for the long life and well-being of their brothers, and brothers give gifts in return and promise to protect their sisters. It is similar to Raksha Bandhan, but instead of tying a rakhi, sisters perform aarti and put a tilak (mark) on their brother’s forehead.

What People Do During Diwali?

The beauty of Diwali is in its preparations as much as the festival itself. A lot of effort goes into making this festival joyful and meaningful.

 1.Cleaning and Decorating Homes
Before Diwali arrives, people clean their homes thoroughly, believed that Goddess Lakshmi only enters clean and well-maintained houses. People throw away unwanted items, fix broken things, repaint walls, and beautify their homes. This is also a way of starting fresh, leaving behind the old, and making space for new beginnings.

After cleaning, homes are decorated with colorful rangolis (art made on the floor with colored powders or flower petals), hanging lanterns, torans (door hangings), and beautiful lights.

2. Making and Sharing Sweets
No Indian festival is complete without sweets, and Diwali is famous for its mithai (sweets) and snacks. Traditional treats like laddoos, barfis, chaklis, shankarpali, gujiya, and soan papdi are prepared in homes or bought from shops. Families share these sweets with neighbors, relatives, and friends. Sharing food is a way of spreading happiness and love.

3. Dressing up in new clothes
Everyone, young and old, loves to dress up on Diwali. New traditional clothes are worn – saris, lehengas, kurtas, sherwanis – and people enjoy looking their best. It’s a time for family photos, festive selfies, and making happy memories.

4. Performing Puja (Worship)
The Lakshmi Puja on Diwali night is one of the most important rituals. A small altar is set up with idols or pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Flowers, sweets, coins, and diyas are offered. Families chant prayers, perform aarti, and seek blessings for a prosperous year ahead.

5. Lighting and lamps
Lighting diyas and candles is perhaps the most iconic part of Diwali. It symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance and the welcoming of light, knowledge, and hope. Firecrackers, although now controversial due to pollution concerns, are still part of many people’s celebrations. In recent years, many people have switched to eco-friendly or noiseless crackers, or simply enjoy light shows and sparklers.

6. Exchanging Gifts and Spreading Love
Diwali is a time of giving. People buy and exchange gifts with family, friends, employees, and neighbors. Gifts can be sweets, clothes, home decor, gadgets, or even cash in festive envelopes. It’s a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

Diwali Around the World