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When is the holiday and why is it celebrated?

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Diwali is one of the most important Hindu festivals and is celebrated in many South Asian communities.

Starting Thursday, October 31, many people around the world will observe Diwali or Deepavali and take part in its celebrations over the next few days.

The dates for Diwali vary from year to year according to the lunar calendar, but in 2023 the celebrations began on November 10 and continued until November 14, lasting a total of five days.

Here's everything you need to know about Diwali 2024, including when it begins, how it's celebrated, and what the holiday symbolizes.

When is Diwali 2024?

Diwali begins on October 31, 2024 and will be celebrated for five days.

Dhanteras, the preparation period leading up to the peak of Diwali on October 31, begins two days earlier, on October 29, according to The Times of India.

The date of Diwali is determined by the lunar calendar. According to Almanac.com, Diwali begins on the darkest day, the night of the new moon. According to Britannica, this day usually falls on the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month, Ashvina.

Diwali usually occurs in autumn and usually takes place in late October or early November.

What is Diwali? Which religions celebrate it?

According to National Geographic Kids, Diwali or Deepavali is known as the festival of lights. Over time, it has become a national holiday and apart from Hinduism, including Jainism and Sikhism, communities also have their own way of celebrating it.

The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means row of lights. This refers to the row (Avali) of clay lamps (Deepa) that observers light outside their homes during Diwali to represent the light that protects against spiritual darkness.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Depending on the region and tradition, Diwali customs differ.

It is most common among Hindus to light diyas (small clay lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invoke the goddess of prosperity, Lakshmi.

Once the diyas are lit, they are placed in rows in temples and houses or floated on rivers and streams. Houses are traditionally decorated with deliberate patterns called rangolis made of colored rice, sand or flower petals to invoke the goddess Lakshmi to bless their home with wealth and success.

Each day of Diwali is celebrated differently, from cleaning your house to building colorful designs called rangolis to eating a big meal and traditional Indian sweets.

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or on X at @ZachBradshaw14.

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