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Learn MoreCelebrate Deepavali Creatively
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Celebrate Deepavali Creatively
Learn to celebrate Deepavali with creativity, culture, and eco-friendly ideas
Created byVinay Sreekanthappa
Last updated 11/2025
English
What you'll learn
- Understand the cultural and spiritual significance of Deepavali (Diwali) and its traditions.
- Learn how to plan and organize Deepavali celebrations at home or in community settings.
- Create beautiful DIY decorations, including diyas, lanterns, and rangoli designs.
- Explore eco-friendly ways to celebrate Deepavali with sustainability in mind.
- Learn to make simple traditional sweets and snacks associated with the festival.
- Discover the symbolism behind lights, colors, and rituals performed during the festival.
- Gain ideas for creative family activities and meaningful ways to celebrate together.
- Appreciate the diversity of Deepavali celebrations across different regions of India.
Explore related topics
Course content
7 sections • 7 lectures • 50m total length
- Why Is Deepavali or Diwali Celebrated and What Is Its Significance14:42
Why Is Deepavali or Diwali Celebrated and What Is Its Significance?
See Diwali in a completely new light as Sadhguru reveals the spiritual significance of one of the most exuberant festivals in the world.
Table of Content
1. What Is Diwali and Why Is Diwali Called the Festival of Lights?
2. Why Is Diwali Celebrated?
3. The Significance of Diwali
4. Life as a Celebration
5. Non-serious but Absolutely Involved
What Is Diwali and Why Is Diwali Called the Festival of Lights?
Sadhguru: Diwali or Deepavali is the “festival of lights.” One reason why light is so significant in human life is the way our visual apparatus is made. For other creatures, light simply means survival. But for a human being, light is not just about seeing or not seeing. The rising of light in our life signifies a new beginning and, above all, clarity. Most creatures exist by instinct, so they have no issues of confusion as to what to do or not to do. A young tiger never sits around and asks itself, “Will I become a good tiger, or will I end up as a housecat?” If it just eats well, it will become a good tiger.
You may be born as a human being, but to become a good human being, you have to do so many things. And even then, you still will not know where you stand. In comparison, you may think you are better than someone else. But by yourself, you do not know where you stand. Human intelligence is such that if you do not organize it properly, it causes more confusion and misery than those creatures that have a millionth of your brain will ever experience – they seem to be crystal clear. An earthworm or insect simply knows what to do and what not to do – a human being does not. It takes a certain intelligence to be confused. Human struggle is due to our own cerebral capability.
An earthworm or insect simply knows what to do and what not to do – a human being does not. It takes a certain intelligence to be confused.
Instead of being a tremendous possibility, intelligence has become a problem for a whole lot of people. They may give their suffering different names, calling it stress, anxiety, depression, madness, or misery. But essentially, it means their intelligence has turned against them. If you are suffering by yourself, without anyone poking you, it means your intelligence is working against you. This being the nature of human existence, clarity is of supreme importance. That is why light is important. Light means clarity. Diwali is important because it is a festival dedicated to clarity, to bringing down the murkiness in you.
Why Is Diwali Celebrated?
Historically, it marks the day when Krishna was supposed to have slain Narakasura. Narakasura was not his original name, but he gave everyone hell, so they called him Narakasura. Narak means hell – one who is causing hell to everyone is a Narakasura. When this “causing of hell” was brought to an end by Krishna, people celebrated by lighting lamps in every house. The Narakasura event supposedly happened much later, but the culture and tradition of lighting lamps around this time goes back twelve to fifteen thousand years. People realized that life hits a point of inertia at this time of the year. The idea is that if you yourself are not living like a cracker, fully alive and on, at least crackers around you could wake you up a little bit. That is why on Naraka Chaturdashi, from around four o’clock in the morning, all over the country, crackers are burst, so everyone wakes up, comes alive.
Diwali is a symbol of beating inertia, because inertia is the source of narak, or hell. Once inertia sets in, you will not go to hell – you will be hell.
This is about the nature of the festival, but the important aspect is to beat the inertia. Life is a play of time and energy. You have a certain amount of time and a certain amount of energy. Time passes whether you are busy or lazy, whether you are healthy or sick. For all of us, time is rolling at the same pace. No one can slow it down; no one can hasten it. But your experience of time differs depending on whether you are joyful or miserable. If you are ecstatic, twenty-four hours will seem to pass like a moment. If you are depressed, twenty-four hours will seem like an eon for you.
If you are joyful, it is a very brief life. For the potential that a human being carries, even if you live a hundred years, they will pass in no time. But if inertia has set into you and you are miserable, it feels like time is not rolling. When people are miserable, the need for entertainment increases tremendously. When people are joyful, they do not have time for entertainment. Joy will take up all your time. You wake up in the morning, and before you even notice, it is already night. When you are joyful, you will do everything you can. When you are miserable, you will always see how to avoid everything.
The culture of “Thank God it’s Friday” is catching up. That means five days of misery – two days, not of joy but generally of intoxication. If you want to make people laugh, sing, dance, or do something joyful, you have to drug them, or at least give them a glass of wine – otherwise it is not possible. This has happened because in a variety of ways, people are creating inertia within themselves. When inertia sets in, life will seem too long. Diwali is a symbol of beating inertia, because inertia is the source of narak, or hell. Once inertia sets in, you will not go to hell – you will be hell. In anger, jealousy, hate, and fear, you create narak and become a Narakasura. If these are taken away, a new light shines.
The Significance of Diwali
On Diwali, you will see every town, city and village is lit up with thousands of lamps everywhere. But the celebration is not just about lighting lamps outside – an inner light has to come. Light means clarity. Without clarity, every other quality that you possess will only become a detriment, not a gift, because confidence without clarity is a disaster. And today, too much action in the world is performed without clarity.
On a certain day, a rookie policeman was driving for the first time through a town with his experienced partner. They got a message on the radio, which said that there was a group of people loitering on a certain street, and were asked to disperse them. They drove into the street and saw a group of people standing at one of the corners. As the car came close by, the new policeman rolled his window down with great enthusiasm and said, “Hey, all of you. Get off that corner!” The group looked at each other in confusion. Then he yelled louder, “Didn’t you hear me? I told you to get off that damn corner!” They all dispersed. Then, pleased with the effect that he had on people when performing his first official task, he looked at his experienced partner and asked, “Did I do well?” His partner said, “Not bad at all, considering that it was a bus stop.”
The secret of life is in just this – seeing everything with a non-serious eye, but absolutely involved – like a game.
Without the necessary clarity, whatever you try to do will be a disaster. Light brings clarity to your vision – not just in a physical sense. How clearly you see life and perceive everything around you decides how sensibly you conduct your life. Diwali is the day when the dark forces were put to death and light happened. This is also the predicament of human life. Like the dark clouds which brood in the gloomy atmosphere, not realizing that they are blocking the sun, a human being does not have to bring any light from anywhere. If he just dispels the dark clouds that he has allowed to gather within himself, light will happen. The Festival of Lights is just a reminder of that.
Life as a Celebration
In the Indian culture, there was a time when there used to be a festival every day of the year – 365 festivals in a year. The idea behind this was to make our whole life into a celebration. Today, maybe only thirty or forty festivals remain. We are not able to celebrate even those now because we have to go to office or do something else daily. So, people usually celebrate only around eight or ten festivals annually. If we leave it like this, the next generation will not have any festival. They will not know what a festival is. They will just earn and eat, earn and eat – they will go on and on with just this. It has already become like this for many people. A festival means they give you a holiday, and you wake up only at noon. Then you just eat more, go for a movie or watch television at home. And only if they take some external stimulants, will these people dance a little. Otherwise they will not sing or dance. It was not like that before. A festival meant that the whole town would gather in a place, and there would be a big celebration. A festival meant we got up at four in the morning, and very actively, lots of things happened all over the house. To bring back this culture in people, Isha celebrates four important festivals: Pongal or Makar Sankranti, Mahashivratri, Dussehra and Diwali.
Non-serious but Absolutely Involved
If you approach everything in a celebratory way, you learn to be non-serious about life but absolutely involved. The problem with most human beings right now is, if they think something is important, they will become dead serious about it. If they think it is not so important they will become lax about it – they do not show the necessary involvement. When someone says, “He is in a very serious condition,” that means his next step is you know where. A lot of people are in a serious condition. There is only one thing that is going to happen to them which is of any significance. The rest will bypass them because with anything that they think is not serious, they are unable to show involvement and dedication. That is the whole problem. The secret of life is in just this – seeing everything with a non-serious eye, but absolutely involved – like a game. That is the reason the most profound aspects of life are approached in a celebratory way so that you do not miss the point. The idea of Diwali is to bring that aspect of celebration into your life.
- Diwali Hindu festival7:16
Diwali
Hindu festival
Diwali, one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism, lasting for five days from the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvina to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Karttika. (The corresponding dates in the Gregorian calendar usually fall in late October and November.) The name is derived from the Sanskrit term dipavali, meaning “row of lights.” The festival generally symbolizes the victory of light over darkness.
History
Diwali developed over centuries from local traditions that occur on the days surrounding the new moon day of Karttika. The most ancient mention of the holiday can be found in the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana (3rd century ce). In that instance it is called Yaksharatri, or night of yakshas (nature spirits led by Kubera, the god of wealth). The Puranas (400–1500) provide the most comprehensive picture of Diwali, but the festival is also mentioned in other sources, such as in the local Purana from Kashmir called Nilamata Purana (c. 7th century), in the Yashastilaka by the Jain monk Somadeva (10th century), and in the 11th-century account of Indian culture and science Taḥqīq mā li-l-hind by the Muslim scholar al-Bīrūnī.
The Puranas describe various versions of a lamp festival in autumn. Although the specifics of the holiday vary in these ancient texts, the general sense of the modern five-day Diwali festival and the different meanings of the days can be discerned from their accounts. For example, multiple Puranas suggest that the lamps are lit in worship of Yama, god of the dead, on the day preceding the new moon day, which some scholars link with the story of Krishna’s defeat of Narakasura (“Hell Demon”) celebrated on this day. The Bhavishyottara Purana describes the new moon day (amavasya) as a day of festivities, but at midnight the women are said to drive out the goddess Alakshmi (“Misfortune”) and propitiate Lakshmi (“Fortune”).
Festivities
Observances of Diwali differ depending on region and tradition. Among Hindus the most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas (small earthenware lamps filled with oil) on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. In Bengal the goddess Kali is worshipped. In northern India the festival also celebrates the royal homecoming of Rama (along with Sita, Lakshmana, and Hanuman) to the city of Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, the 10-headed king of the demons, thus connecting the festival with the holiday of Dussehra. In southern India the festival marks Krishna’s defeat of the demon (asura) Narakasura. Some celebrate Diwali as a commemoration of the marriage of Lakshmi and Vishnu, while others observe it as the birthday of Lakshmi.
Why Is Diwali Called the Festival of Lights?Learn about the meaning of the name Diwali and the significance of the festival in associated religious traditions.
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During the festival, diyas are lit and placed in rows along the parapets of temples and houses and set adrift on rivers and streams. Homes are decorated, and floors inside and out are covered with rangolis, consisting of elaborate designs made of colored rice, sand, or flower petals. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success.
The names and events of the individual days of Diwali are as follows:
The first day, known as Dhanteras, is dedicated to cleaning homes and purchasing small items of gold. Lakshmi and Kubera are the focus of worship on that day.
The second day, called Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali, commemorates Krishna’s destruction of Narakasura; prayers are also offered for the souls of ancestors.
On the third day, Lakshmi Puja, families seek blessings from Lakshmi to ensure their prosperity; light diyas, candles, and fireworks; and visit temples. It is the main day of the Diwali festival and occurs on the new moon day.
The fourth day, known as Govardhan Puja, Balipratipada, or Annakut, commemorates Krishna’s feat of lifting up a mountain, Govardhan Hill, to protect the local cowherds in defiance of Indra, the king of the gods, who had sent a torrential rain upon them. It is also the first day of Karttika and the start of the new year in the Vikrama (Hindu) calendar. Merchants perform religious ceremonies and open new account books.
The fifth day, called Bhai Dooj, Bhai Tika, or Bhai Bij, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. On that day sisters pray for the success and well-being of their brothers, similar to the holiday Raksha Bandhan.
Rangoli for DiwaliLines and lamps joining together in a rangoli for Diwali, the festival of lights.
Diwali is generally a time for visiting, exchanging gifts, wearing new clothes, feasting, feeding the poor, and setting off fireworks (though such displays have been restricted to limit noise and other environmental pollution). Gambling, especially in the form of card games, is encouraged as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year and in remembrance of the games of dice played by Shiva and Parvati on Mount Kailash or similar contests between Radha and Krishna. Traditionally, in honor of Lakshmi, the female player always wins.
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To learn more about the many festivals that are part of celebrating Diwali see Diwali and Beyond.
Beyond Hinduism
Diwali is also an important festival in Jainism. For the Jain community, the festival commemorates the enlightenment and liberation (moksha) of Mahavira, the most recent of the Jain Tirthankaras, from the cycle of life and death (samsara). The lighting of the lamps celebrates the light of Mahavira’s holy knowledge.
Since the 18th century, Diwali has been celebrated in Sikhism as the time of Guru Hargobind’s return to Amritsar from captivity in Gwalior—an echo of Rama’s return to Ayodhya. Residents of Amritsar light lamps throughout the city to celebrate the occasion.
Also spelled:
Divali, Deepavali, or Dipavali
Related Topics:
Diwali and Beyond
diya
The Festival of Lights
Although not a primary festival of Buddhism, Diwali is celebrated by some Buddhists as a commemoration of the day when Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism in the 3rd century bce. It is observed by the Vajrayana Buddhist minority among the Newar people of Nepal. They celebrate by lighting lamps, decorating temples and monasteries, and worshipping the Buddha.
- Diwali Origins and the Evolution of the Festival of Lights6:21
Diwali: Origins and the Evolution of the Festival of Lights
Festivals of IndiaSaha SutraHinduismRamayanaMahabharataJainismBuddhismOral traditionsPuranas
Diwali, the festival of lights, symbolises the ‘victory of light over darkness’, ‘knowledge over ignorance’ and ‘good over evil’. It also has many legends and lore associated with it (Photo Source: Khokarahman/Wikimedia Commons)
Diwali, or Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated across the country by Indians of all faiths. Also called the ‘festival of lights’, Diwali comes in the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashwin and Kartik (late October or early November in the Gregorian calendar). A post-harvest festival, it has several myths associated with it as well.
The festival symbolises the ‘victory of light over darkness’, ‘knowledge over ignorance’ and ‘good over evil’. The lore that is most commonly associated with the celebration of this festival, especially in north and west India, is from the Hindu epic Ramayana: commemorating the return of Rama, Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman to rule Ayodhya, in modern Uttar Pradesh.
In south India, it marks the victory of the god Krishna over the demon Narakasura. In Jainism, it is the day Mahavira attained Nirvana. The Newars of Nepal offer prayers to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity; the Newars include followers of Hinduism, of Vajrayana Buddhism, and of traditions related to both.
For some communities, especially those in business and trade, Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu financial year, samvat, and the Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped in the evening. Many shopkeepers and owners of small businesses change their account books, or bahi khaata, on this day. The Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange are closed on the day, which is generally a national holiday, but they conduct mahurat trading, or the first auspicious trading, for a short while in the evening.
At many homes, playing cards for money on Diwali, or formal gambling, is an auspicious ritual that is considered to bring wealth and prosperity to the players. This comes from the legend that once Goddess Parvati won a game of dice against God Shiva on this day. Elated, she announced that whoever gambled on the night of Diwali would accumulate wealth throughout the year.
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A five-day festival, Diwali is celebrated across households by lighting diyas (oil lamps) or candles, making rangolis (intricate designs on the floor) to welcome the goddess, distributing sweets and gifts, and bursting crackers. The bursting of crackers is increasingly limited in many regions to control environmental and sound pollution.
Diwali Etymology and Day
Deepavali literally means 'row of lights' (Photo Source: Dinesh Korgaokar/Wikimedia Commons)
Diwali comes from the Sanskrit word, Deepavali, which means a ‘row of lights’. The word is derived from deepa (lamp, light or illumination; or symbolically, knowledge) and avali (row or series). Ancient Indian texts like the Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana and Kalika Purana and Harsha’s play Nagananda, as well as stone and copper inscriptions have references to the festival as Deepotsava, Deepotsavam, Deepavali, Divali and Divalige.
The duration of the celebrations includes the last two days of the month of Ashwin, before the new moon (amavasya), starting with Dhanteras, the 13th day of the fortnight ending in amavasya, and continuing into the month of Kartik to end on Bhai Dooj, the festival dedicated to celebrating brothers.
Diwali in Different Religions and Mythologies
The return of Rama to Ayodhya is the most popular lore associated with Diwali celebrations (Photo Source: British Library courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
The celebration of Diwali has greatly evolved, with various cross-cultural and -religious influences and stories of origin that we explore in this segment.
Hinduism
In popular lore, the festival is connected with both the Hindu epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. In the former, the story goes in northern India that Rama, Sita and Lakshmana retuned to Ayodhya, after defeating Ravana and at the end of their 14-year exile, and celebrated Diwali. As for Mahabharata, it is said that the Pandavas also ended their 13 years of exile on this day.
In the southern part of India, the festival marks the day when Krishna and his wife Satyabhama killed the demon Narakasura. Also called Naraka Chaturdashi, this is celebrated the day before Diwali. There are references to Naraka Chaturdashi in the Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha.
The fourth day of Diwali is called Bali Pratipada, commemorating Vishnu’s Vamana avatar's act of burying King Bali underground. In Kerala, it is also celebrated as Balirajya, because on this day Lakshmi, Vishnu’s consort, liberated Bali for a single day, prompting celebrations by his subjects. Another story goes that Bali ascended the throne on this day.
According to Padma Purana, the first day of Diwali, Dhanteras, marks the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the churning of the primordial ocean, i.e., samudramanthan. On the third day, the day of Diwali, Lakshmi chose to marry Vishnu.
Jainism
Diwali is one of the main festivals among the Jain community, and Lakshmi Puja forms an important aspect. P.K. Gode, in his article on Studies in the History of Hindu Festivals: Some Notes on the History of Diwali, says that it was on this day that Mahavira attained moksha. Jains celebrate the Mahavira Nirvana Divas by lighting lamps. Jains, essentially a trader community, worship Lakshmi on Diwali by changing their account books and performing a puja to mark the beginning of a new financial year.
Sikhism
Diwali, along with Baisakhi, is one of the principal festivals of the Sikhs. However, it has historical and not mythological relevance. In the 17th century, the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh was imprisoned by the Mughal emperor Jahangir. He was freed on Diwali from the Gwalior Fort prison, making it a day of celebration for the Sikhs. Additionally, the city of Amritsar was founded on Diwali in 1577.
Buddhism
Although not a primary festival for the Buddhists, Diwali is celebrated by the Newar people of Nepal, who follow the Vajrayana school and worship many deities. Called Tihar, the festivities are similar to those of the five days of Diwali. There are Hindu influences in the observance of rituals, with specific days allotted for the worship of various living beings, such as the crow, dog and cow. The last two days are for Govardhan Puja and Bhai Tika.
Diwali Variations by Region
There are many regional variations to Diwali celebrations, such as Kali Puja in Assam, Odisha, West Bengal (Photo Source: Rounik Ghosh/Wikimedia Commons)
Assam, Odisha, West Bengal: Kali Puja, in which Goddess Kali is worshipped at midnight
Punjab: Also called Bandi Chhor Diwas, when Guru Hargobind Singh was freed from the Gwalior Fort prison in the 17th century
Kerala: Balirajya, when King Bali returns to earth for one day
Tamil Nadu: Thalai Diwali, in which newly-weds get gifts
Assam (northern), Sikkim, West Bengal (northern), Nepal: Tihar or Swarni, where celebrations are almost the same as on Diwali
Textual References to Diwali
A painting depicting the fight between Krishna-Satyabhama and Narakasura (Illustration of a 16th-century manuscript of the Bhagavata Purana from north India; Photo Source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art courtesy Wikimedia Commons)
It’s interesting to note that while the popular association of Diwali is with the return of Rama to Ayodhya, there are no references to Diwali or Deepavali in the Ramayana or even Tulsidas’ Ramcharitmanas. However, there are several Puranic references to Diwali and Deepotsava that explain the different connections between Shiva, Parvati, Lakshmi and the festival. Apart from Padma Purana, Vishnu Purana and Kalika Purana mentioned previously, references exist in the Bhavishyottara Purana (Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English dictionary) and Bramhavaivarta Purana.
Vatsyayana’s Kamasutra has references to the festival of Yaksha Ratri, which according to some scholars is where Diwali has its origin. This was a festival of the Yakshas, attendants of the god of wealth, Kubera, who spent the night playing dice. This could be seen as yet another connection between gambling and Diwali.
King Harsha's seventh-century play Nagananda has a reference to Deepotsava and Yaksha Ratri, and talks about giving gifts to newly-weds on the occasion.
Practices and Rituals
Lakshmi Puja is a huge part of Diwali celebrations, especially within the Jain and trader communities (Photo source: KnaPix/Flickr)
Diwali celebrations are spread over five days, with each day allotted to certain rites, rituals and the worship of a god or goddess. However, the common aspect is that of cleaning one’s homes and workspaces and decorating these with lamps and flowers, and making rangolis (coloured floor designs). Gambling is also a common feature across communities and regions.
Day 1, Dhanteras: Derived from dhana (wealth) trayodashi (13th day), it is an auspicious day for buying gold, silver or utensils for the home, and offering prayers invoking prosperity.
Day 2, Naraka Chaturdashi: The victory over Narakasur and an auspicious day for buying sweets and food for the next day’s celebrations. It is also called Chhoti (little) Diwali, and is a day for visiting family, friends or business partners and exchanging gifts.
Day 3, Diwali: The main day is celebrated by worshipping the Goddess Lakshmi, lighting lamps, bursting crackers (now reduced by Supreme Court advisory and environmental concerns), as well as gambling. In Nepal, it is the only day in the year that people can legally gamble.
Day 4, Annakoot/Padwa/Govardhan Puja/Bali Pratipada/Vishwakarma Puja: This day celebrates the bond between husband and wife, as well as the prosperity of a family by offering a ‘mountain of food’ (annakoot) to the gods. Govardhan Puja refers to the legend of Krishna saving the cowherds and farmers from the wrath of Indra and the incessant rain by lifting the Govardhan mountain for them to take shelter under. Scholars have made several post-harvest and soil fertility associations with respect to the rituals that usually incorporate the use of cow dung. Vishwakarma, the Hindu god of engineering and architecture, is worshipped by the Sikh community as well, since it is the first day of the new work year.
Day 5, Bhai Dooj: Literally ‘Brother’s Day’, the fifth day celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. A story about the Hindu god of death, Yama, and his sister Yamuna, is associated with this day, when the brother goes to visit his sister and is welcomed with a tilak (auspicious mark of protection and greeting), food and gifts.
Diwali Celebrations Across the World
For the past couple of years, Singapore has been celebrating Deepavali with great pomp and show (Photo Source: Facebook)
Diwali is celebrated in different parts of the world, wherever there is a significant Indian immigrant and expatriate population. Guyana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, and Nepal celebrate Diwali with much pomp and there are official holidays in some of these regions. In Singapore, for a few years now, the city and metro trains are decorated with flowers, and rangolis with diya motifs.
- Deepavali Diwali celebration - The secret reasons4:48
Deepavali / Diwali celebration - The secret reasons
Deepavali
There are many things associated with Deepavali but the very less known aspect of deepavali is that the whole celebration is centered around "Apamrutyu nivarana", that is to avoid untimely death. By doing that we get "Abhaya" to celebrate life itself. Hence the festivity part of the philosophy comes into action.
Dhanurtrayodashi (Dhanteras) - Ashvayuja Krishna Trayodashi
Dhanurtrayodashi is the first day that marks the beginning three day festival of Deepawali. Danavantri, the imparter of Ayurveda is also worshipped on this day. On this day goddess Lakshmi is also worshipped as this is the day she emerged out of samudra manthana.
Most importantly. this day two lamps must be lit the front of the house as a "Bali" to Yama, to protect the family from "Apa-mrutyu" - untimely death.
On triyodashi, "Jala" is also worshipped, all the vessels in which water is kept in the house is cleaned and pots are decorated and sanctified water is prepared for the ritual bath that will be taken on Chaturdashi.
Naraka chaturdashi - Ashvayuja Krishna Chaturdashi
Narakachaturdashi is the second day of the three day festival of Deepawali. On this day lord Krishna killed Naraka-Asura with this sudarshana chakra.
On this day a sacred bath is had in the early morning after doing "Abhyanga", applying oil. This is done because, there is lakshmi is the oil and ganga in water. The two together protect and purify a person. The fruit of this is also mentioned as being rid of the fear of death.
तैले लक्ष्मीर्जले गंगा दीपावल्याश्चतुर्दशीम् ।।
प्रातःस्नानं हि यः कुर्याद्यमलोकं न पश्यति ।। ३२ ।।This is also the day when Bali chakravarthy (asura) was defeated by Vishnu as Vamana Avatara (a short brahmana). It is said that the entire universe celebrated this with the joy of lighting lamps as a symbol of showing light to bali chakravarthi as he is heading towards pathala as a gesture of respect and admiration towards a great hari bhaktha, in whose lineage later Dhruva was born.
On this day, there is the practice of showing way to the pitrus by holding torches ( long sticks with fire on the tip). "All those ancestors who have been offered their last rites through the fire of my lineage may you receive more light from these torches" - this is the sankalpa.
Deepavali - Amavasya
Deepavali occurs on an Amavasya. This is the day when lord Rama returned to Ayodhya after a 14 year long exile. This day is celebrated by lighting up one’s surroundings with lamps and lights.
This is also the day to perform Lakshmi and kubera pooja for daridrya nivarana.
Mantra for Lakshmi Devi
नमस्ते सर्वदेवानां वरदासि हरिप्रिये
या गतिस्त्वत्प्रपन्नानां सा मे भूयात्त्वदर्चनात्Mantra for Kubera
धनदाय नमस्तुभ्यं निधिपद्माधिपाय च
भवन्तु त्वत्प्रसादान्मे धनधान्यादि संपदःBalipaadyami / Bali pratipada
Once raja Bali gave away all his land to Vishnu who came as Vamana, then he expressed a desire to visit his kingdom at least once a year, this is that day when Bali returns to see us all.On this day, people offer their respect to Bali in different ways, these are region specific.
On the same day Govardhana Pooja is also performed for the wellbeing of cows upon which rests the wellbeing of man. The symbiotic relationship between cow and man is very sacred and should be protected.
गोवर्धनधराधर गोकुलत्राणकारक
कृष्णबाहुकृतच्छाय गवां कोटि प्रदो भवGo-pooja Mantra
लक्ष्मीर्या लोकपालानां धेनुरूपेण संस्थिता
घृतं वहति यज्ञार्थे मम पापं व्यपोहतुBhagini Dvitiya ( It falls in Karthika masa)
This is a festival where brothers visit their sisters and have food at the sisters place.
The sister ( elder or younger) blesses the "kula" of the house she is born in. She prays for the long life of the brother and requests for the gods to bless the house she is born in.The brothers must take all effort to go and eat the food at their sister's house. It will give them a certain special strength. Brothers should also give dana to their sisters based on their capacity.
There are many more things that can be detailed about these festivals as the whole country celebrates these festivals with great devotion and intricacies of traditions and cultural practices.
- Auspicious Deepavali, the Festival of Light7:29
Auspicious Deepavali, the Festival of Light
Auspicious Deepavali, the Festival of Light ?
? धनत्रयोदशी Dhanteras ?
शुभ दीपावली
May You connect to the Light of Universal Consciousness as the essence of life and our unity with all.
Vamadeva & Shambhavi“Tamaso Maa Jyotir gamaya…. lead us from darkness to the Light!
May we hold the highest Dharma in our hearts and lives!
Bharat India celebrates its cultural and Vedic heritage with Diwali. In the Hindu calendar Dhanteras marks the auspicious beginning of ‘Panch Parva’ or five festivals of Dhanteras, Kali Chaudash, Diwali, the Vedic New Year and Bhai Dooj.
In Sanskrit ‘Deepavali ‘ or ‘Diwali’ means ‘a row of earthen lit lamps’. Diyas or earthen oil lamps are the sacred tradition of India’s Diwali celebrations. Light signifies purity, jnana and auspiciousness. Lighting the diya guides us through the darkness to seek the eternal truth in our own personal lives.
We should all celebrate Diwali worldwide with lighting ghee lamps in our homes, villages and cities.
In ritualizing our lives we draw ourselves into a space of gratitude where every moment of our existence awakens an inner awareness of the Shakti forces around us.
Diwali celebrations unfold through 4 auspicious days – the thirteenth and fourteenth day of Krishnapaksha, the waning crescent moon phase in the month of Ashwin.
The day preceding Dhanteras is celebrated as ‘Wagh Baras,’ Sri Krishna herded His cows for grazing. Women traditionally revere cows on this day with special puja and sacred rituals.
The day following Dhanteras is the auspicious night of Kali Chaudas, where Maa Kali is deeply revered for Her transformational powers.
These days are celebrated as Dhanatrayodashi (Dhan Teras), Narakchaturdashi, Lakshmipujan and Balipratipada, respectively.
In rural India, Diwali signifies the end of a harvesting season, when rice is harvested, and prayers of gratitude are offered for Mother Nature’s abundance.
The home and workplace are cleaned and decorated with Rangoli, flowers and incense in deep reverence for the Divine in every heart.
Sacred celebrations, festivals and rituals draw us to understand our Vedic culture and share its auspicious tidings with the world.
Dhanteras or Dhanvantri Jayanti
Shubh Dhanatrayodashi धनत्रयोदशी
Dhanteras marks the first day of auspiciousness and awakening us to the spiritual nectar of Life. Dhanteras also known as Dhantrayodashi or Dhanvantri Triodasi, falls on the auspicious thirteenth lunar day of the Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month of Kartik (October/November).
Dhan signifies wealth, ideally meaning spiritual and worldly abundance. This is an auspicious day for making efforts for fulfilling our desires and wishes. One must stay clear from any harmful wishes or rituals as they hold a deep karma which effects our well-being and eventual happiness.
It is the auspicious revering of Sri Dhanvantri the deity bestowing immortality. Hindus revere Sri Dhanvantri as the celestial healer and physician of the Gods. He is also called Sudhapani, which means ‘carrying nectar in his hands’.
In Ayurvedic realms this is a very important day where every Ayurvedic practitioner or Vaidya (doctor) worships Dhanvantri. The ancient text “Charaka Samhita” explains Ayurveda as the science of Life, rasayana and Longevity.
Celebrating Global Ayurveda Day shares an awareness of the wisdom of Ayurveda as Nature’s intrinsic healing power inspiring the individual to live a life in sync with the cosmic rhythms of Mother Earth and Mother Nature.
Ayurveda is the holistic approach to a way of life understanding the inner and outer manifestations of our being. Dhanvantri carries the kalasha or pot of amrita, the rejuvenative and life-giving nectar.
Amrita is the nectar of immortality which enriches the soul stirrings in our spiritual path. Devotees worship Lord Dhanvantri to seek his blessings for sound health.
Dhantrayodashi Sankalpa
Sankalpa is the deeper manifestation of a sacred vow, intention and desire. Our sankalpa should connect us to the universal dharma of peaceful sacredness and abundance for all.
Puja and Rituals
Auspicious Muhurat for puja
The time of Pradosha Kal, is usually followed as a most auspicious time for the Pujan of Dhanteras.
For good fortune mix turmeric powder with rice powder, pour some water and make a paste. Draw the “Om” sign with this paste on the entrance door. Or one can use rice grains mixed with turmeric.
Pranayama for Ritualizing our Prana Shakti
The Surya nadi or right channel is accentuated on this day. Performing pranayama is very helpful and should be continued as a daily ritual in our lives.
Abhyangasnan
After performing Pranayama, one must massage oneself with oil as a sacred ritual on this day.
Yamadipadan
On the evening of Dhanatrayodashi, Puja for Dhanteras is performed after sunset by the women of the house. A diya with four wicks and ghee or oil is placed in a copper plate or banana leaf.
Light this Diya (Yamadeep) for gratifying Lord Yama. Sprinkle water (achaman) from the panchpatra around the Diya, perform pranayama followed by the Puja with applying some sandalwood paste, turmeric, kumkum, rice grains and a flower whilst offering prayers for one’s well-being as well as our universal well-being. Take four rounds clockwise around the Diya (parikrama).
One may also light thirteen wheat flour lamps with oil in them outside the house, facing southwards. Or a lamp with four wicks (charmukha diya) is lit outside the front door on the right-hand side.
Rituals help to invoke the divinity within each of us.
It is the Shraddha and devotion which is most important in our rituals.
Honoring Sri Lakshmi
Devi Lakshmi rules over both outer and inner abundance, filling our lives with divine grace, bliss and beauty. Mantras for Goddess Lakshmi are very auspicious.
To welcome Devi into our lives, home, and workplace small footprints are drawn with rice flour and vermilion powder on all entrances. Lamps are kept burning all through the night. For 43 days chant 108 malas every day of the Sri Lakshmi mantra, beginning on Dhanteras.
Puranic history narrates the ocean of milk being churned by the Devatas and the Asuras in search of Amrita, the nectar of immortality.
Shiva Maheshvara consumes the ‘Vish’ or poison which endangered the world. In the churning unfolded the abundance of the inner and outer worlds as amrita the elixir of immortality, herbs, rasa and wealth in the form Goddess Lakshmi.
Sri Dhanvantri emerges during the Samudra manthan or churning of the oceans carrying the kalasha or pot of Amrita. He is revered as the physician to the Devata or Divine Beings.
Sri Dhanvantri is the preserver of life allowing us to experience our spiritual evolving through our well-being. The amrita nurtures the higher self.
Dhanteras ushers in the auspiciousness of Diwali.
Mantra Shakti for Well-being
Om Dhanvantaraye Namah
Om Shri Dhanvantre Namah
Om tat purushaaya vidmahae
Amritha kalasa hastaaya dhimahi
Tanno Dhanvantri pracodayatOm aadivaidhyaaya vidmahae
Arogya anugrahaaya dhimahi
Tanno dhanvantri pracodayat”Aum Namo Bhagwatey Vasudevaya
Dhanvantarey amritakalashahastaya
Sarvamaya vinashnaya
- Diwali Dates, Traditions, and Recipes5:20
Diwali 2025: Dates, Traditions, and Recipes
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the Indian “festival of lights,” celebrating the triumph of good over evil. In 2025, Diwali begins on Monday, October 20, with celebrations continuing into Tuesday, October 21. Learn more about this holiday, which follows the lunar calendar—what each day represents, the delicious foods, and the fascinating traditions.
What Is Diwali?
Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanskrit Deepavali, meaning row of lights.
The holidays follow a lunar calendar, not the modern Gregorian calendar, so Diwali does not always have the same timing every year. The main celebration of Diwali takes place on the day of the new Moon when the sky is at its darkest, so a big part of the celebration revolves around light. On the evening of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the night.A specially-made clay lamp, called a diya, lit for Diwali.
When Is Diwali?
Diwali occurs annually in autumn during the Hindu month of Kartik. (In Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) The primary day of Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, the day of the new Moon.
The dates below (from 2025 to 2028) align with Northern Deepavali, which is based on the Hindu lunar calendar. For 2025, the government has designated the 20th as the calendar holiday for Diwali. All the festivities and fireworks will occur on the evening of the 20th and run into the 21st.Date of Diwali (main day): 2025 to 2028
Year
Date of Diwali (main day)
2025
Monday October 20, with celebrations starting on the evening of the 20th and running into the 21st.
2026
Sunday, November 8
2027
Friday, October 29
2028
Tuesday, October 17
The Five Days of Diwali
In most of India, Diwali is a five-day event, with the “main day” of Diwali falling in the middle of the festival.
2025 Diwali Calendar: The Five Days of Diwali Festival
Dhanteras
Saturday, October 18
Kali Chaudas
Sunday, October 19
Main Day of Diwali
Lakshmi PujaMonday, October 20 (starts in the evening and celebrated into Tuesday, October 21)
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (in the north)
Bali Pratipada (in the south)Wednesday, October 22
Day 5: Bhai Dooj
Thursday, October 23
The first day of Diwali—Dhanteras—is considered an auspicious day for wealth and prosperity. People decorate their homes with small clay lamps (diyas), candles, and flowers. They also decorate the doorway with rangoli and stick stickers of tiny feet, inviting the Goddess Lakshmi (wealth) into their home.
The second day—Kali Chaudas—is dedicated to purging evil from the home. People worship the Goddess Kali, who destroys negative energy, disease, and ill effects.
The Third day—the primary day of Diwali—is devoted to the triumph of light over darkness. People celebrate the lighting of clay diyas, which symbolize the inner light. It is Goddess Lakshmi’s birthday and a day of worship, followed by a family feast, exchanges of sweets, and fireworks.
The Fourth Day—Govardhan Puja— is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna with specific offerings. It’s also a day when people express appreciation and respect towards Mother Nature.
The Fifth day—Bhai Dooj—is a festival that celebrates the bond between siblings, specifically between brother and sister.
A rangoli made of flowers.
Who Celebrates Diwali?
Followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths all celebrate Diwali. As India is such a large country with many cultures and religions, each country has its way of celebrating, with slightly different stories. However, all have the same theme of good over evil. All celebrate the festival of lights with the lighting of candles.
For Hindus, Diwali marks the end of a 14-year war in which the exiled Prince Rama of Ayodhya returns victorious, with the people lighting lamps along the path of darkness to light his way.
For the Sikhs, this holiday represents freedom, marking the release of imprisoned Guru Hargobind from the designs of Emperor Jahangir; the guru refused his release until all 52 princes imprisoned with him were freed.
For the Jains, Diwali is different. This holiday marks the last of the great spiritual leaders (akin to saints), Lord Mahavira, who attained nirvana, also known as complete knowledge and enlightenment.
Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe also regularly celebrate Diwali. Diwali is now a national holiday celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries, meaning that people outside the three main religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too.
Diwali traditions and celebrated around the world. Credit: Toa55
How to Celebrate Diwali
Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, though there are a few common themes, including worship, fireworks and lights, and sharing of sweets.
Candles, clay lamps, and oil lanterns are lit and placed throughout the home, in the streets, in areas of worship, and floated on lakes and rivers. Fireworks are also set off on the night of Diwali—said by some to ward off evil spirits.Another central theme of Diwali is family. Wearing their best new clothes, families gather to eat sweets and other special foods, light diyas, and pray for their ancestors. Businesses are generally closed (or close early) on Diwali to allow workers to celebrate with their families.
Diwali Recipes
The feast can be quite extravagant, with unique dishes and sweets filling the table. In honor of Diwali, here are a few Indian-inspired recipes to try:
East Indian Curry Dip
Raita Cucumber Yogurt Salad
Palak Panir Spinach and Tofu
Sweet Potato Lentil Coconut Curry
Coconut Ladoos
Coconut ladoos, a classic Diwali sweet.
Do you celebrate Diwali? What traditions do you follow for the holiday? Let us know in the comments below—and Happy Diwali to those who celebrate!
- History of Diwali4:23
History of Diwali
Diwali, being the festival of lights, is a day that eliminates darkness and fills our lives with light. The history of this auspicious day is associated with legends moored to the fables of religious Hindu scriptures often the Puranas. Though the foremost theme of all legends point out to the age-old truth of the win of the good over evil, the story behind them and the characters differ.
Five Days of Deepawali
The very first day of this celebration is known as Dhanvantari Triodasi or Dhanteras. The second day of the festival is known as Narak Chaturdasi. It’s the 14th lunar day of the darkest fortnight of the month Kartik that falls on the eve of Diwali. It is believed that on this very day Lord Krishna quashed the demon Narakasur and set the world free from his evil. The third day of the festival is known as Diwali. On this day people worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. The fifth day of Diwali is known as Bhaidooj.
History of Diwali as per Hindu Mythology
The Tale of Rama & Sita: Lord Rama along with his consort Sita and younger brother Lakshman was exiled by his father Dashratha by pressurized by his wife. After 14 years of exile, Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya by defeating Ravana the demon king. It is said that during his return people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting every house and nook & corner of the kingdom with earthen lamps. So to rejoice Lord Rama’s victory of Ravana, Diwali is celebrated.
King Bali and Vamana Avatar: The other belief concerns King Bali who was a philanthropic ruler but was ambitious. Some of the Gods requested Bhagwan Vishnu to check his power. Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Vamana and appeared in the court of King Bali. He asked King Bali to give him the space that he would cover with three strides. The King, after laughing at the Vamana, agreed to his request. In three strides, Vamana covered sky, earth and underworld. As part of the Diwali celebration, some Hindus memorize King Bali.
Narkasur and Lord Krishna: Lord Vishnu in his eighth avatar known as “Krishna” smashed Narkasur who with his demonic power wanted to rule over the world. Narkasur is said to be the demon of dirt and filth. He abducted beautiful women and compelled them to live with him. Hearing their cries, Lord Vishnu appeared in Krishna’s avatar and fought with a five-headed monster guarding Narkasur’s home. Upon Narkasur’s death, Krishna granted him a wish that his death will bring joy to others and hence, the day is celebrated as Narak Chaturdasi.
Krishna & Goverdhan Mountain: Once upon a time in Gokul, people prayed to the Lord Indra whom they believed the God of Rain who sends rain and help them in yielding good crops. However, Krishna persuaded villagers that they should worship the mountain Govardhana because the land around it is fertile. Hearing this, Indra become furious and he sent thunderstorms as well as torrential rain to devastate the whole village and identify his powers. People rushed to Krishna for help and then he saved all the villagers by taking them into the shade of the mountain Govardhana. Therefore, on the fifth day of Diwali people worship Govardhana.
Sikh History: In the outlook of Sikh, the celebration is commemorated to mark the return of their sixth Guru- Guru Hargobind Ji from the imprisonment of Gwalior. In order to rejoice his undying love for Sikhism, people lit the whole town with lights to pay honor.
Jain History: Jain celebrates Diwali as one of their most important festivals. On the day of Diwali Jain people celebrates the Nirvana of Lord Mahavira the founder of Jainism.
Requirements
- No prior experience or special skills are required — this course is designed for everyone who wishes to celebrate Deepavali with creativity and joy.
- A curious and festive mindset to learn about Indian traditions and culture.
- Basic art and craft materials (such as colored paper, diyas, paints, and decorative items) — optional, only if you want to try the hands-on activities.
- Access to a kitchen (optional) if you’d like to try the simple festive recipes demonstrated.
- A willingness to explore new ideas and celebrate Deepavali in meaningful, eco-friendly, and fun ways!
Description
Course Description – Celebrate Deepavali Creatively
“Celebrate Deepavali Creatively” is a joyful, hands-on, and culturally rich course designed to help you experience and celebrate Deepavali (Diwali) — India’s most vibrant Festival of Lights — in a fun, meaningful, and creative way. Whether you’re from India or anywhere around the world, this course will guide you to understand the deeper significance of the festival while exploring exciting, artistic, and eco-friendly ways to celebrate it.
About the Course
Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is more than just lighting lamps and bursting crackers — it is a celebration of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil. This course is designed to help you embrace that spirit through creativity, learning, and togetherness.
Through a combination of video lessons, demonstrations, and simple step-by-step activities, you’ll learn how to make your Deepavali celebration more beautiful, sustainable, and memorable. You don’t need to be an artist, a chef, or an expert — just bring your enthusiasm, and this course will guide you to celebrate with joy and imagination.
What You Will Learn
In this course, you will:
Discover the meaning, origins, and stories behind Deepavali and its regional traditions across India.
Learn to create your own festive decorations — including diyas, lanterns, and colorful rangolis — using simple materials available at home.
Explore eco-friendly celebration ideas, focusing on sustainable crafts and practices that protect the environment.
Try your hand at making traditional Deepavali sweets and snacks, with easy recipes suitable for beginners.
Understand the symbolism of lights, colors, and rituals, and how each adds meaning to the festival.
Get family-friendly activity ideas to engage children and loved ones in joyful celebration.
Learn how to organize and plan your Deepavali celebration at home or in your community.
By the end of this course, you’ll not only understand what makes Deepavali special — you’ll be able to celebrate it creatively, consciously, and meaningfully.
Who This Course Is For
This course is for anyone who loves festivals, creativity, and culture! You’ll find it especially valuable if you are:
A beginner who wants to learn about Deepavali traditions and celebrations.
A family or parent looking for fun, creative activities to do together during the festival.
An educator or student interested in understanding Indian festivals and cultural practices.
An art and craft enthusiast eager to explore festive DIY projects.
A non-Indian learner curious about India’s culture, spirituality, and joyful festivals.
Anyone who wants to celebrate Deepavali in an eco-friendly and modern way.
No prior experience is required — just a festive spirit and a willingness to learn something new!
Why Take This Course
Deepavali brings people together through lights, laughter, and love — and this course is designed to help you connect with that essence. You’ll gain both knowledge and practical skills: understanding the cultural importance of rituals while also learning how to make your celebrations vibrant and sustainable.
If you’ve ever wanted to go beyond just lighting lamps — to create decorations, cook festive foods, or engage your family in meaningful traditions — this course will guide you every step of the way.
You’ll receive simple, engaging lessons that can be followed by learners of all ages. Each activity is demonstrated clearly, so you can follow along and create something beautiful right from your home.
Course Highlights
Beginner-friendly explanations of Deepavali traditions and stories.
Easy DIY decoration ideas using readily available materials.
Step-by-step Rangoli and diya-making tutorials.
Delicious traditional recipes simplified for home preparation.
Eco-friendly celebration tips to make your festival sustainable.
Cultural insights that help you connect with the spiritual essence of the festival.
A warm, interactive approach to help you celebrate with confidence and creativity.
Join the Celebration
This course is more than just a tutorial — it’s a celebration of life, light, and creativity. Whether you’re preparing for your first Deepavali or looking to rediscover its beauty, “Celebrate Deepavali Creatively” will help you do it with joy and purpose.
Join now, and let’s make this Deepavali shine brighter than ever — with lights, love, learning, and creativity!
Who this course is for:
- Anyone who wants to understand and celebrate the Deepavali (Diwali) festival in a creative, joyful, and meaningful way.
- Beginners and families looking for easy and fun ideas to decorate, cook, and celebrate together.
- Teachers and educators who wish to introduce students to Indian culture and the traditions of Deepavali.
- Non-Indians or international learners curious about the cultural and spiritual significance of the Festival of Lights.
- Art and craft enthusiasts interested in creating handmade festive decorations and rangoli designs.
- Event organizers or cultural coordinators planning Deepavali celebrations in schools, offices, or communities.
- Anyone seeking eco-friendly and modern ways to celebrate traditional festivals with love and creativity.