Some Common Diwali Customs

Deepavali or Diwali is the festival of lights. The very name of the festival reveals its meaning. The word means a string of lights. The day falls on the day of ‘amavasya’ that is the day of the new moon. The lighting of lamps in and outside the house signifies the defeat of the evil of darkness. Light is the symbol of hope and prosperity and when we light up our houses we drive away the darkness.

Diwali usually falls in the month of October or November. This is the time when the seasons change and the New Year starts with new hope and best wishes for the wellbeing for everyone. Diwali is very important for Hindus as well as Buddhists, Sikhs and the Jains. Every religion has a different story or stories behind this beautiful festival.

The customs might be different in every religion but the festival is celebrated with the exchange of gifts, sweets and well wishes. The festival brings with it a series of festivals, each one of which is celebrated with fervor and joy.

Customs of Diwali

The first day is Dhanterus. On this day people renovate, decorate and light up their workplaces and houses. Lights are left on for the whole night to attract goddess Laxmi to their homes and workplaces. People buy gold and silver jewelry on this day. It is believed that spending money on this day attracts more wealth.

The second day of Diwali is also known as the choti Diwali. People get up early in the morning before sunrise and bathe with a scrub made with gram flour and fragrant oils. It is customary to burst firecrackers on this day as the sound keeps evil away. Fourteen diyas made from wheat flour and desi-ghee (homemade clarified butter) are lit up around the house to welcome wealth and prosperity.

The third day is the most important day of the Diwali festival. Houses, streets, localities,

workplaces, buildings and shops are all decorated with diyas, candles and electric lights. People get up early in the morning and prepare a rangoli designs at the entrance of their homes. They dress up in new clothes and women wear jewelry and prepare for the puja in the evening. Firecrackers and sweets are the favorites for kids on this day.

The fourth day of the festival is devoted to the work tools. Deities are bathed in milk and dressed in new clothes and ornaments. The last and the final day of the festival is celebrated by brothers and sisters all over the world. Sisters prepare delicacies for their brothers and brothers get sweets and gifts for theirsisters.