Happy Diwali from BDA Partners

One billion people worldwide will celebrate Diwali next week.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali and the Hindu “Festival of Lights,” is one of India’s most widely celebrated holidays. It overlaps with other harvest rituals and festivals. The dates for the holiday vary each year; they follow the lunar calendar. Diwali originated in India, 2,500 years ago. The festival, which expands to the Indian diaspora, is observed for up to five days.

Different religious traditions in India each fit their religious themes and narratives into Diwali. Some Hindus, for example, believe Diwali to be the return of Lord Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, from 14 years of exile. Other Hindus believe it to be the celebration of the killing of the asura (demon) Narakasura by Lord Krishna, another avatar of Vishnu.

Some Hindus see Diwali as a chance to worship and celebrate the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. For others, Diwali is the victory of knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali celebrations for Sikhs commemorate the release of Guru Hargobind, imprisoned in 1617 and released in 1619.

Jains also celebrate Diwali. They do it in remembrance of the day Lord Mahavira, revered as one of the great teachers of the religion, who attained Nirvana or enlightenment.

In each of these Indic traditions, we find that Diwali holds some sort of significance and a reason for celebration, often a representation of hope and the victory of goodness.

To honor someone, you may place a garland of flowers around them, such as the statues of deities in the temples.

Diwali occurs on the night of a new moon, adding to the importance of lights during Diwali. In the darkness of night, roads and paths in India are lined with oil lamps illuminating the way to temples where gods and goddesses are honored among lights.

People will also clean their homes and ensure every room is lit with lamps the night of Diwali. Believers report that the goddess Lakshmi visits well-lit homes.

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