Diwali 2023: When Is Diwali? All You Need To Know About The 5-day Festival

India is a country of festivals, and many types of festivals keep us busy throughout the year. Diwali or Deepawali is one such important and auspicious festival.

Diwali is an auspicious Hindu festival-- falling on the new moon of Kartik month--that comes after 20 days of Dussehra or Vijayadashami every year, and lasts for five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.

This year Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, 2023, across the country.

Diwali 2023 Date: When Is Diwali? | Pixabay

Diwali is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in India. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Diwali is celebrated across the country with great enthusiasm and excitement. It is a five-day festival that usually falls in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. Take a look at Diwali's history, traditions, customs, and significance.

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When is Diwali in 2023?

Diwali or Deepawali is a festival of Hindus associated with lights (also called as festival of light) that symbolizes the victory of good over evil. Not just Hindus, but people of Jainism, Sikhism and Buddhism religion also celebrate the festival of Diwali with great pomp. According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya - the 15th day - of the month of Kartik, every year. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 12, 2023.

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What is the real date of Diwali in 2023?

According to the ancient calendar, Diwali is observed on Amavasya (or new moon) ¡ª the 15th day ¡ª of the month of Kartik, every year. In 2023, Diwali will be celebrated on 12th November (Sunday).

Diwali 2023 Date: When Is Diwali? | Pixabay

On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshiped and Her blessing is sought by the devotees. There are many stories behind this festival and each of them symbolizes the same thing. Check out complete details about Diwali 2023 date and time:

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Diwali 2023 Date & Laxmi Puja Muhurat

What are the 5 days of Diwali in 2023?

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and is considered to be a very auspicious day to buy new utensils and jewelry. On this day, people worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and health. Dhanteras 2023 Wishes

Choti Diwali is the second day of Diwali and is also known as Kali Chaudas. On this day, people worship Lord Hanuman and Goddess Kali. It is also a day to clean the house and get rid of old and unwanted things.

Diwali is the third day of Diwali and is the main day of the festival. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. They also light diyas (oil lamps) and candles to illuminate their homes and businesses.

Govardhan Puja is the fourth day of Diwali and is also known as Annakut. On this day, people worship Lord Krishna and offer him a mountain of food made from various grains and vegetables.

Bhai Dooj is the fifth and final day of Diwali. On this day, sisters apply tilak (vermilion mark) on the foreheads of their brothers and pray for their well-being. Brothers in turn give gifts to their sisters.

What is the difference between Diwali and Deepavali?

Diwali and Deepavali are two different names for the same festival, which is widely celebrated in India and by the Indian diaspora around the world. The difference lies in the way the words are spelled and pronounced based on regional and linguistic variations.

Diwali: This is the more commonly used term, and it is widely recognized in North India and other parts of the country. "Diwali" is the anglicized version of the festival's name and is commonly used in English-language contexts.

Deepavali: This term is commonly used in South India and in some Southeast Asian countries with a significant Indian population. "Deepavali" is the original Sanskrit name of the festival, where "Deepa" means "lamp" or "light," and "Avali" means "a row" or "a series." It refers to the rows of lamps and lights that are lit during the festival to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.

Diwali 2023: History & significance

The origins of Diwali can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) and decorating their houses with rangolis (colored patterns). This event is believed to have occurred on the day of Amavasya (new moon day) in the Hindu month of Kartik, which is why Diwali is celebrated during this time.

Diwali 2023 Date: When Is Diwali? | Pixabay

Diwali 2023: Traditions and Customs

Diwali is a five-day festival, with each day having its own significance and rituals. The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras, which is considered an auspicious day for buying gold, silver, and other items. On the second day, Naraka Chaturdashi, people take an early morning bath and light diyas to ward off evil spirits. The third day is the main day of Diwali, when people wear new clothes, decorate their houses with rangolis and lights, and offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The fourth day is Govardhan Puja, which is celebrated in honor of Lord Krishna. On this day, people make small mounds of cow dung, which represent the Govardhan mountain, and offer prayers. The fifth day is called Bhai Dooj, which is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters.

What is Diwali tradition and culture?

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India and by Hindus worldwide. It is a multi-day festival that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is steeped in rich traditions and cultural practices that vary across different regions of India but share common elements. Here are some key aspects of Diwali tradition and culture:

- The lighting of Lamps and Fireworks

- Puja (Prayers) and Worship

- Exchange of Gifts and Sweets

- Traditional Attire

- Family Gatherings and Festive Feasts

- Diwali Fairs and Cultural Performances

- Charity and Philanthropy

Diwali 2023: Significance

Diwali is not only a festival of lights, but it also has great cultural and spiritual significance. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The lighting of diyas is believed to represent the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. It is also a time for families and friends to come together, share sweets and delicacies, and exchange gifts.

Diwali 2023 Date: When Is Diwali? | Pixabay

In addition to being celebrated by Hindus, Diwali is also observed by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists.

Diwali 2023: History and Origin of Diwali

Historically, Diwali can be traced back to ancient India. It is most likely a festival of lights that began as an important harvest festival that stretches back more than 2,500 years. However, various legends are associated with the origin of Diwali. Many of these stories are about the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali and Ramayana connection

The most popular tale associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Ram to Ayodhya following his 14 years of exile and after defeating the demon king Ravana. During this exile, the wicked king Ravana of Lanka abducted Sita. After a lot of hurdles and a lengthy quest, Lord Rama finally vanquished Lanka and saved Sita. In joyous celebration of this victory and the return of King Rama, the people of Ayodhya rejoiced by illuminating the kingdom with earthen diyas, distributing sweets and by setting off firecrackers, a tradition still followed by myriad people who celebrate the festival.

Diwali 2023: When Is Diwali? All You Need To Know About The 5-day Festival | Freepik

Goddess Kali and Diwali story

In Bengali tradition, Diwali is addressed as Kali Puja. According to religious belief, there is an interesting story about the worship of Maa Kali. It is believed that Maa Kali appeared on this day along with 64 thousand Yoginis. And he killed many demons including Rakta Beej.

Goddess Laxmi and Diwali connection

Most Hindu people worship Goddess Lakshmi on Diwali, considering her as a goddess of prosperity and wealth. The day is marked as the birthday of this deity which was the New Moon day of the Karthik month. Utterly impressed by the serene beauty of Lakshmi, Lord Vishnu decided to marry her and, therefore, the diyas were illuminated in a row to mark this occasion. Since then Diwali is celebrated to worship Goddess Lakshmi and seek her blessings.

Happy Diwali 2023: Best wishes to your loved ones

1. May your Diwali be filled with joy and light. Happy Diwali 2023!

2. As Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya on this day bringing back joy, happiness and fervour, here's wishing the same happiness fills your life this day. Happy Deepavali!

3. I hope you have a blessed, healthy and prosperous Diwali. A very happy Diwali to you and your family! Happy Diwali!!

4. Happy Diwali to you! May this festival bring you plenty of love and success.

5. Wish you are blessed with peace, prosperity, happiness, good health and grand success. Happy Diwali 2023.

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.

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