Diwali 2024: How India celebrates the festival of lights

Since this photo is from Getty Images

Wetin we call this photo, Diwali is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar – this photo from last year's celebration

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Millions of Indians celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights and one of the most important events in the Hindu calendar.

The annual festival usually takes place between October and November, but the exact date changes every year due to the Hindu calendar, which is based on the moon.

This year, Diwali celebrations will take place on Thursday, but some parts of the country will celebrate the festival on Friday.

Pipo lights oil lamps and candles on this day to symbolize the triumph of light, darkness and good over evil.

Wetin is Diwali and why do they celebrate it?

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains and each religion marks different historical events and stories.

Hindus celebrate the return of the deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. They also celebrate the day when Mother Goddess Durga destroys a demon they call Mahisha.

Sikhs especially celebrate the release of the sixth Guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrate this festival before this date.

In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the holiest place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.

The founder of Jainism by Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment they achieve a state they call moksha (nirvana or eternal bliss).

Pipo dey buys idols of Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Oda gods for Hyderabad market — Wetin we call this photo, Many Hindus worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, on Diwali

A woman looks for a gold necklace and earrings for a Zaveri Bazaar jewelry store during the Dhanteras festival in Mumbai on Tuesday — Wetin we call this photo, A few days before the festival, they come and call Dhanteras – the day they buy gold, silver or even new metal utensils because they believe they will bring prosperity and good luck to the household

Pipo dey buys marigolds, fresh roses and garlands for di Flower Marker in Gurugram — Wetin we call this photo, During the festival, houses, offices and streets are decorated with flower garlands

Rows of apartments use electric lights and lamps to illuminate the residential complex for Mumbai Parel — Wetin we call this photo, They use lights and lamps to illuminate lanes and side streets

Pipo dey buys candles and earthen lamps ahead of Diwali for Kolkata on October 29, 2024 — Wetin we call this photo, Pipo dey lights oil lamps and candles to symbolize the triumph of light and darkness

In the days leading up to Diwali, clean and organize the houses. They buy new clothes and exchange sweets and gifts with friends, families and neighbors.

Many Pipo Dey draw traditional designs like rangoli – made from colorful powders – outside their doors to welcome good luck and positivity.

On this day, families worship Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.

They turn on lamps and leave windows and doors open to help the goddess find her way into the Pipo houses.

A man lifts my pikin to see the Diwali lights they set up for Janpath Market in New Delhi — Wetin we call this photo, Pipo dey wears the finest clothes to celebrate Diwali…

Pipo earthen lamps light on the banks of Sarayu River for Ayodhya on November 11, 2023 — Wetin we call this photo, …and gada with friends and family to pray, exchange sweets and gifts

Firecrackers are also an important part of the celebrations, but in recent years several states have imposed restrictions or bans as northern Indian states struggle with severe air pollution.

The capital Delhi has a ban on the sale and use of firecrackers during the festival, while states such as Haryana, Punjab and Karnataka restrict the use of firecrackers to certain hours on Diwali evening.