Diwali. Just hearing the name sparks images of glowing lamps, sparkling fireworks, and sweets that never seem to end.
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But why is Diwali celebrated? Is it just about lights and crackers? Let’s take a little trip into the rich tapestry of stories, myths, and traditions behind one of the most vibrant festivals on Earth.
1. The Main Story Behind Diwali: Victory of Good over Evil
The primary reason why Hindus celebrate Diwali is rooted in the age-old battle between good and evil. The Diwali story most commonly told involves Lord Rama, the heroic prince of Ayodhya. After a 14-year exile and a tough battle against the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya, bringing joy and hope to his kingdom.
But imagine it: no streetlights, no electricity. How do you welcome your hero home after such a long time? The people of Ayodhya lit rows of oil lamps—diyas—to guide Rama, his wife Sita, and his brother Lakshmana back to the kingdom. This is why Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. It’s a celebration of light over darkness and the ultimate victory of good over evil.
And let’s be real—everyone loves a good comeback story. Isn’t that why superhero movies are always such a hit? Rama’s story is the original superhero saga, complete with an epic villain, a dramatic rescue, and a triumphant return. (Know more about Diwali Fireworks and Celebrations.)
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Different Versions of the Diwali Story
Did you know that the Diwali story isn't the same across all parts of India? Depending on where you go, people celebrate different events:
In North India, the emphasis is on Rama's return after defeating Ravana.
In South India, people celebrate the defeat of Narakasura, another demon, by Lord Krishna.
In Western India, the festival marks the day Lord Vishnu sent the demon king Bali to the underworld, allowing him to visit Earth once a year.
This diversity makes Diwali even more fascinating—there’s no single story, but rather a collection of tales that emphasize the victory of good over evil.
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2. Why Do Hindus Celebrate Diwali? Spiritual and Symbolic Reasons
While the Diwali story about Rama and Ravana is popular, there’s more to the festival than just a legendary prince defeating a demon. Why do Hindus celebrate Diwali? It’s also about spiritual enlightenment.
Diwali symbolizes the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. It’s not just about lighting lamps outside your house—it’s about lighting a lamp within. It’s a chance to reflect on our own actions and work towards being better versions of ourselves. Let’s be honest, we all need a little self-improvement once in a while. Also read: Best Places in Dubai for Indians.
During the festival, people clean their homes (sometimes begrudgingly), set up beautiful decorations, and make offerings to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. After all, who wouldn’t want to invite a little prosperity and good luck into their life?
Lakshmi Pooja: Welcoming Wealth and Prosperity
One of the highlights of Diwali is the Lakshmi Pooja. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi roams the Earth during Diwali night, blessing those who have clean homes and pure hearts. So yes, those intense house cleaning sessions aren’t just about tidying up—they’re about inviting the goddess in for a stay.
Step 1: Clean the house (yes, it’s mandatory).
Step 2: Decorate with rangolis, diyas, and flowers.
Step 3: Offer prayers and sweets to the goddess, asking for blessings of prosperity.
It’s not just about wealth in a monetary sense, but also spiritual richness—an abundance of love, kindness, and positive energy.
3. Diwali and the Five Days of Celebration
Diwali isn’t just a one-day affair; it’s a five-day extravaganza. Each day has its own significance and traditions, each more colorful than the last.
5 Days of Diwali Celebrations
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The main day of Diwali, Lakshmi Pooja, is when families get together, light diyas, burst fireworks, and enjoy a massive feast. It’s basically the best combination of food, family, and fun—all in one night.
Fireworks: Lighting Up the Sky
Let’s talk about the most exciting part of Diwali—fireworks! While the festival’s true significance is the victory of light over darkness, let’s be real: the fireworks are what everyone loves. Lighting up the sky with colorful sparks is just a symbol of joy, triumph, and a little bit of showing off to the neighbors.
Just remember to be mindful while celebrating. Fireworks are exciting but can also cause air and noise pollution. It’s important to keep the celebration safe and eco-friendly.
4. Diwali Story in Different Cultures
Diwali isn’t just for Hindus—did you know it’s celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists too? Each community has its own Diwali story and reasons for celebrating, adding even more depth to this already beautiful festival.
Jains celebrate Diwali as the day Lord Mahavira, their last Tirthankara, attained nirvana.
Sikhs celebrate it as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the day Guru Hargobind was freed from prison, along with 52 kings.
For some Buddhists, it is a day to celebrate Emperor Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism.
All these stories emphasize the universal themes of freedom, light, and spiritual awakening. It’s fascinating how one festival can mean so many different things to different people, yet still unite everyone in celebration.
5. The Festive Foods of Diwali
No celebration is complete without food, and Diwali is no exception. From sweet laddoos to savory namakpare, the festival is all about indulging in the most delicious treats you can imagine. Ever wondered why there’s so much emphasis on sweets during Diwali?
The idea is simple—sweetness symbolizes joy. The more sweets you eat, the sweeter your upcoming year is supposed to be (at least, that’s what I tell myself as I eat my tenth piece of barfi).
Popular Diwali Delicacies
Laddoos: These round sweets are a staple during Diwali, made from ingredients like chickpea flour, coconut, and sometimes nuts.
Kaju Katli: A rich dessert made from cashews and sugar, often gifted during Diwali. Explore Diwali Gift Ideas in Dubai.
Samosas and Kachoris: Because you can’t have sweets without a little bit of savory goodness to balance it out. If you love cooking at home, get all the ingredients at Indian Supermarkets in Dubai.
Diwali Special Foods
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Honestly, the festive foods are one of the top reasons why Diwali is celebrated with such excitement. Who can resist a good plate of mithai?
6. Cleaning and Decorating: Not Just Chores
Before the fun of Diwali begins, there’s the not-so-fun part: cleaning the house. But why do we do it? It’s not just about impressing guests or making sure everything is spick and span for photos.
Cleaning during Diwali has a deeper spiritual meaning. It’s believed that Goddess Lakshmi visits only those homes that are clean and welcoming. So, if you want to invite prosperity in, you better bring out that broom! Decorating the house with rangoli, flowers, and diyas makes it even more inviting for the goddess.
Types of Decorations During Diwali
Rangoli: These colorful patterns, made using powders or flower petals, are designed at the entrance to welcome guests (and the goddess).
Torans: Decorative hangings made of mango leaves or flowers, often placed above doors.
Fairy Lights and Diyas: To light up every corner, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. Also, here are a few Things To Do in Dubai on Diwali.
Decorating the house is about creating a festive atmosphere that brings joy and happiness to all who enter. And let’s be honest—who doesn’t love an excuse to make their house look extra special?
7. Why Is Diwali Celebrated Globally?
Diwali isn’t just limited to India. Thanks to the Indian diaspora, it’s celebrated in countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In some places, even non-Indians participate in the festivities, attracted by the beauty and joy of the celebrations.
In Singapore and Malaysia, Diwali is a public holiday, and the celebrations are as colorful as they are in India. In London, Trafalgar Square hosts a Diwali festival every year, complete with music, dancing, and of course, food. The global appeal of Diwali lies in its universal message of good triumphing over evil and light overcoming darkness.
Diwali Celebrations Around the World
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Diwali's universal themes and its message of hope and positivity make it resonate with people everywhere. It’s truly a festival that brings people together, no matter where they’re from.
8. Wrap Up: The Light Within Us
So, why is Diwali celebrated? It’s about more than just a single story or a cultural tradition. It’s about light over darkness, good over evil, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is hope. Whether it’s the return of Rama, the blessings of Lakshmi, or the triumph of Krishna, Diwali is ultimately about the light within us all.
Diwali encourages us to look inwards, reflect on our actions, and strive to be better. It’s a chance to gather with loved ones, share joy, and celebrate life. And let’s not forget—have a ton of delicious food while we’re at it.
So go ahead, light that diya, eat that laddoo, and share a smile. Because at its heart, that’s what Diwali is all about.
Summary of Why Diwali Is Celebrated
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for many reasons, but at its core, it represents the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. The main Diwali story revolves around Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and defeating the demon king Ravana. To celebrate his return, the people of Ayodhya lit rows of oil lamps (diyas), which is why Diwali is a festival of lights.
Beyond the story of Rama, why do Hindus celebrate Diwali? It’s a time for spiritual enlightenment, symbolizing the inner light that protects from darkness. It’s about welcoming Goddess Lakshmi into our homes, seeking blessings for prosperity and good fortune. Diwali is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists, each with their own unique significance for the festival, making it a time of unity and celebration across cultures.
The festival spans five days, each with its own significance, from Dhanteras, where buying gold is auspicious, to Bhai Dooj, celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters. The festivities include fireworks, delicious foods, and decorating homes with rangoli, flowers, and lights to invite positivity and prosperity.
The Story Behind Diwali Celebrations
Diwali is celebrated not just in India, but globally, in countries like the United States, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, where the message of hope and positivity resonates with all.
FAQs About Why Is Diwali Celebrated?
What is the main reason for celebrating Diwali?
The main reason for celebrating Diwali is to commemorate the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, symbolizing the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Why do we celebrate Diwali?
Diwali marks Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya along with Sita and Lakshmana after defeating Ravana. It is a celebration of cultural heritage and the triumph of light over darkness, observed all over the country.
What is the story behind Diwali?
The story behind Diwali revolves around Lord Rama, who was exiled along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana. After 14 years of hardship and defeating the demon king Ravana, they returned to Ayodhya, where the people celebrated their return by lighting diyas.
What are the facts about Diwali?
Diwali occurs on a no-moon night.
It celebrates the birth of Goddess Lakshmi.
It marks the end of the harvest season.
The Annakut festival is also part of Diwali.
The festival is famous for its fireworks and lights.
How do you explain Diwali to a child?
Diwali, also called the Festival of Lights, means "a row of lamps" in the old Indian language Sanskrit. People light lamps to show that light is stronger than darkness and that good always wins over evil. It also marks new beginnings.
Do Muslims celebrate Diwali?
Many Muslims join in the celebrations of Diwali, lighting diyas, sharing sweets, and enjoying the festivities with friends and family. It’s a festival that spreads joy and happiness, transcending religious boundaries.
What is the intention of Diwali?
Diwali celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance. It is also a time to express gratitude for the harvest and to seek blessings for a prosperous year.
What is the real message of Diwali?
The real message of Diwali is the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It encourages us to be better, seek light, and spread positivity.
Why is Diwali also called Deepavali?
Deepavali means "row of lamps" in Sanskrit, which describes the practice of lighting oil lamps during the festival to symbolize the victory of light over darkness.
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How do people prepare their homes for Diwali?
People clean their homes thoroughly to welcome Goddess Lakshmi. They decorate with rangolis, flowers, and light diyas to make their homes attractive and inviting for prosperity and positivity.
Why are sweets important during Diwali?
Sweets symbolize joy and prosperity. Sharing sweets with neighbors, family, and friends is a way of spreading happiness and celebrating the sweetness of life during Diwali.
Is Diwali celebrated only in India?
No, Diwali is celebrated globally. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Malaysia have vibrant celebrations, often involving not just Indians but people of various backgrounds coming together to enjoy the festivities.
What are some eco-friendly ways to celebrate Diwali?
Use LED lights instead of traditional fireworks to reduce pollution.
Make rangolis using natural colors like flower petals.
Opt for clay diyas instead of plastic ones to be more environmentally friendly.
How does Diwali promote community bonding?
Diwali encourages people to visit friends and family, share sweets, light diyas together, and participate in community events. The collective spirit of lighting up homes and public places fosters a sense of unity and togetherness.
Is Diwali a holiday in the UAE?
Diwali is not an official public holiday in the UAE, but the celebrations are widely recognized and supported. Many companies and schools with a diverse community allow people to take time off to join in the festivities, reflecting the UAE's embrace of cultural diversity.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only. The details mentioned are based on the best available information at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice by the respective authorities. Readers are encouraged to consult the relevant offices directly for the most accurate and updated information.
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