Diwali, the week-long Festival of Lights and Happiness, is one of the most celebrated days of observance on the Hindu calendar, and there are several reasons why this is the case.
2024 Diwali: Why the Festival of Lights is celebrated?
As stated by The Times of India, Diwali is part of a five-day celebration commemorated on the darkest day of the year, in the month of Kartika (a period when the Sun transits into Libra, usually between mid-October and mid-November).
In Hinduism, the start of Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness. Much of the spiritual significance of the Festival of Lights can be attributed to Rama, the seventh and, perhaps, most popular avatar of Vishnu, who, after serving 14 years in exile for defeating Ravana, a demonic king of Lanka island, returned to his kingdom in ancient Ayodhya with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshmana.
Diwali is also closely associated with the goddess of wealth, fortune, prosperity, power and beauty, Lakshmi, and India’s most revered principal deity, Ganesha, the god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.
How to celebrate Diwali in 2024
In the lead-up to Diwali, Hindus prepare for the Festival of Lights by cleaning, renovating and decorating their homes and workspaces with oil lamps and artworks of colourful circle patterns known in India as rangolis.
During Diwali, observers of the religious festival gather with families to perform the worship rituals of goddess Lakshmi, light fireworks and host feasts, where candy and gifts are exchanged.
Donning the finest articles of clothing in one’s closet and decorating homes inside and outside with oil lamps and rangolis is non-negotiable.
In many homes, The Times of India explains, it is tradition to leave the windows open to seek blessings from the goddess of prosperity and wealth and other deities of success and power.
In 2024, the Festival of Lights started on Tuesday, 29 October 2023, on the day of Dhanteras, which marks the beginning of the deity worship. The following day, on Wednesday, 30 October 2023, Hindus celebrated Choti Diwali, a period used to attract positivity, peace and happiness.
This year, Diwali takes place on Thursday, 31 October, and a day after, Hindus would have recognised Govardhan Puja, the historic victory of Lord Krishna over Indra.
Social media reactions to ‘Festival of Lights’
Already, social media has been buzzing with positive messages from observers of Diwali. Here are some of the best 2024 Diwali tributes we picked from social media:
