Happy Diwali 2024!

This week, people around the world are celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. But what is this festival all about? Let’s explore the origins of Diwali, its dates in 2024, how it’s celebrated and how you can wish someone a Happy Diwali.

Often considered as the most significant holiday in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, Diwali is a time of light, joy, and togetherness, celebrated through prayers, feasting, and vibrant fireworks. Diwali, is also known as “Dipavali,” which translates to “rows of lighted lamps,” which is symbolised by small oil lamps called ‘diyas’ that are central to the celebrations.

What is Diwali?

The festival celebrates the “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.”

In Hindu tradition, Diwali is linked to the story of Prince Rama and his wife, Sita. The tale tells of the demon king Ravana, who wanted Sita for himself. Disguising himself first as a wounded deer and later as a poor old man, Ravana tricked Sita into stepping outside a protective circle drawn by Rama, and then kidnapped her. To rescue Sita, Rama befriended Hanuman, the monkey king, and raised an army of monkeys. After a fierce ten-day battle, Rama killed Ravana with a magical arrow. As Rama and Sita returned home, people lit oil lamps to guide their path and celebrate their victory over darkness and evil. This lighting of lamps became a central part of Diwali, symbolising hope, goodness, and the triumph of light over darkness.

When is Diwali?

Diwali falls on a different day each year according to the Hindu calendar. This year, the five days of Diwali fall on 29th November until 3rd October. The main festivities are due to take place between Thursday, 31st Oct 2024 and Friday, 1st Nov 2024.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is a time of light, warmth and joy, filled with meaningful traditions. People light diyas in their homes, along roads, and around temples. Fireworks brighten the night, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

In preparation, people clean their homes and often purchase new gold and silver ornaments. Diwali is also a time for feasting, with families and friends sharing traditional Indian foods and enjoying sweets like kalakand, rasgulla, rasmalai, chum chum, sandesh, and chocolate sandesh.

How to wish someone a happy Diwali

There are many ways to wish someone a happy Diwali. If you’re looking for a message to write in a card, here are some traditional phrases:

• May the brightness of Diwali fill your days with new hope and endless possibilities. Wishing you a beautiful and blessed Diwali.
• Wishing you a Diwali filled with beautiful beginnings, new hopes, and lots of happy moments.
• May this Diwali bring divine light and happiness into your life.
• May your Diwali be filled with happiness, good health, and prosperity!
• May the warmth and brightness of the Diwali lights shine on you all year.

Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Diwali!