Diwali 2023: 10 Amazing facts about Diwali | Diwali Facts | Festival of lights

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The festival of lights is almost here and we thought it would be a good time to share some facts about Diwali. Diwali is also known as – Deepavali (“Row of lights”) and this is where it gets it name the festival of lights.

Diwali or Deepavali : When is it in 2023?

Let’s just get straight to the point. So, this year Diwali will be celebrated on 12th November 2023, which is Sunday.

Each year the date for Diwali keeps changing but usually it falls either in the month of October or November.

The date for Diwali is calculated based on Hindu Calendar and is celebrated on Amavasya night (No Moon night) of Karthik Month.

Since, Diwali dates are calculated based on Hindu calendar hence there is variation in dates each year.

If you would like to know more details about how to celebrate Diwali and its relevance check our article – What is Diwali and why is Diwali celebrated.

Facts about Diwali aka Deepavali

Diwali Fact No. 1

The festival name is actually Deepavali which is a Sanskrit word meaning “row of lights” (row of deep or diya aka clay lanterns).

In modern times it has been transformed slightly and is popularly known as Diwali.

Earlier people light their house by clay lantern or diyas but now-days there are lots of other means to decorate and lighten up homes like candles and electric lights.

Diwali Fact No. 2

Diwali is a five day festival and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists across the world.

The exact date of Diwali varies each year based on position of moon as per Hindu Calendar. The five days of Diwali are –

Dhanteras

Dhanteras marks the official beginning of Diwali celebration.

Dhanteras is celebrated on the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksha in the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar month of Karthik.

Lord Dhanvanteri – the god of Ayurveda is also worshiped on this day since he imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda for the betterment of mankind.

Celebrated by purchasing new items such as utensils, gold, silver, jewellery and new vehicle, it is basically one of the biggest shopping day of the year.

Naraka Chaturdashi aka Roop Chaturdashi

Small Diwali aka Chhoti Diwali in Hindi language – It is day before the main festival and people tend to make preparations for the big day event such as decorating home, purchase fire crackers etc.

This day is also called Roop Chaturdarshi because some people believe that on this day ladies are blessed with beauty if they take an early morning bath after applying facial (“ubtan“).

While we can not confirm this will happen but here goes the name.

This day has a religious value since it is believed that on this day Lord Krishna killed a notorious demon – Narakasur thus relieving world from evil.

Diwali or Deepawali

Day of Lights – This is the main festival day which is celebrated by decorating home, cooking tasty food, preparing Rangoli and worshipping goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha.

People light clay lamps and decorate their houses with artificial lights, flowers and many more decorative items.

Padwa aka Annakut

New year day – This day is celebrated due to multiple beliefs associated with it.

Padwa marks the start of new year day as per Vikram Samvat (Hindu Calendar).

Pawda or Annukut is celebrated on fourth day during Diwali festival. Padwa means the first day of the phase of the moon.

In many regions of India this day is also celebrated as Govardhan Puja where people worship Lord Krishna to express their gratitude for saving them during troubling time.

On this day it is believed that Lord Krishna defeated Indra and was able to break his ego of being supreme by lifting the Govardhan hill on his pinky finger or little finger.

This is also know as Annakut and Govardhan Pooja is a principle ritual performed during annakut. On annakut people prepare many food Items and sweets to offer deities to express their devotion towards god.

Bhai Duj or Day of Siblings

This day marks end of celebrations by deepening the love between Siblings – brothers and sisters.

On this day sisters pray for their brothers well being and brothers visit their sisters and give them gifts.

Bhai duj ceremony starts with the ritual of inviting brothers for a magnificent meal made of their favourite dishes and sweets.

you can also check article on 10 best delicious recipes for Diwali.

Carrying forward the ceremony in traditional style, sisters perform arti for their brother and apply a red tika on the brother’s forehead.

In return, elder brothers bless their sisters and treat them with gifts. This day family units and have good time together.

Diwali Fact No. 3

The most popular belief for celebrating Diwali among others is to celebrate the return of Lord Rama after defeating Ravana who was a demon king.

Lord Rama along with his younger brother Lakshman with his biggest devote Lord Hanumana was able to defeat Ravana after an intense war, ultimately rescuing goddess Sita.

It is believed that to celebrate return of Lord Rama and goddess Sita in Ayodhya (place in India, birth place of Lord Rama), people lighted the whole city with oil clay lanterns aka Diya (Hindi) or Deep in Sanskrit language and hence the name –

“Deepavali – The festival of lights“

Diwali Fact No. 4

Diwali is celebrated after 20 days of Dusshera. Dusshera is another Hindu festival and it is believed that on this day after a fierce battle Rama was able to kill Ravana.

Dusshera is hence also known as Vijyadashmi meaning – day of victory over evil.

Diwali Fact No. 5

People celebrate Diwali by visiting friends and family and exchanging good wishes and gifts with them.

People also exchange Indian sweets on this occasion and there is an enormous demand of sweets in the market.

It is also the time to cook delicious food and enjoy some good time with family.

Diwali Fact No. 6

On the day of Diwali, people worship Goddess Lakshmi and lord Ganesha.

It is believed that Lord Ganesha – the god of prosperity, wisdom and success is the adopted child of goddess Lakshmi.

It is believed that goddess Lakshmi will accept offerings from their devotees only if they will worship her son Lord Ganesha along with her.

Diwali Fact No. 7

Since Diwali is big festival, people decorate and sometimes renovate their houses, to welcome goddess Lakshmi and celebrate the festival.

Also, people draw Rangoli and Lakshmi foot prints from their main gate to their home temple, considering that goddess Lakshmi will visit their home temple and bless them with prosperity.

Rangoli is a art of preparing the pattern on the floor using coloured Rice, coloured sands, flower petals or flour.

Diwali Fact No. 8

According to iTV news, one of the biggest celebrations of Diwali outside India happens in Leicester city in United Kingdom.

There are many other countries around the world where Diwali is now one of the most loved festival. Few such countries are – Mauritius, United States of America, Australia, Malaysia, Nepal etc

Diwali Fact No. 9

Heard about Diwali Muhurat Trading?

Yes, it is a thing and you can conduct trading in Indian Stock exchanges during that one hour time on Diwali even when it is on Sunday this year.

Don’t believe us, check out the Economic Times article.

Trading is allowed on Diwali day since it is considered a festival of lights and prosperity and people like to conduct some trading on this day.

It is believed that Diwali muhurat trading brings prosperity and wealth throughout the year.

BSE is conducting Diwali muhurat trading sessions since 1957, while NSE is conducting since 1992.

Diwali Fact No. 10

The beloved festival of Diwali is a public holiday in many countries such as Fiji, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Wasn’t it interesting to know all these facts about Diwali? We are sure you are and just to remind you there are many more interesting facts and stories behind different days of Diwali.

Share these with your friends and family and tell your kids more about this amazing festival.

So that is all for now but before we close let us take this oppotunity to wish you –

A very Happy and Prosperous Diwali

to all of you and from all of us here at Team Felicity Plus wish you lots of happiness.