Diwali (or Divali; also known as Jain Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, Tihar, Swanti, Sohrai, and Bandna) is a festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs.
1. What is the Date of Diwali?
Diwali, also known as Deepawali, is renowned as the "festival of lights" and is observed on October 24 this year. The five-day festival is observed by millions of Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide. This event gets its name from the words 'avali,' which means 'row,' and 'deepa,' which means 'clay lamps.' When these terms are combined, they mean 'a row of lights.' As a result, lights are emblematic of this holiday, and Indians go overboard with sparklers and fireworks to fuel the inner light that defends them spiritually from the darkness.
2. History of Diwali
Diwali is most likely a combination of harvest festivities from ancient India. It is described in Sanskrit works including the Padma Purana and the Skanda Purana, which were both completed in the second half of the first millennium CE. Skanda Kishore Purana mentions diyas (lamps) as representing portions of the sun, characterizing it as the cosmic provider of light and energy to all life, which periodically transforms in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik.
In the 7th century Sanskrit play Nagananda, King Harsha alludes to Deepavali as Dpapratipadotsava (dpa = light, pratipad = first day, utsava = festival), where lights were lit and newly engaged couples and grooms received gifts. In his 9th century Kavyamimamsa, Rajasekhara refers to Deepavali as Dipamalika, and recounts the tradition of homes being whitewashed and oil lamps decorating homes, streets, and markets at night.
Many visitors from outside India have also described Diwali. The Persian traveler and historian Al Biruni wrote about Diwali being celebrated by Hindus on the day of the New Moon in the month of Kartika in his 11th century book on India. In the early 15th century, the Venetian merchant and traveler Niccol de' Conti visited India and wrote in his memoir, "on another of these festivals they fix up within their temples, and on the outside of the roofs, an innumerable number of oil lamps... which are kept burning day and night," and that families would gather, "clothe themselves in new garments," sing, dance, and feast. Domingo Paes, a 16th-century Portuguese adventurer, wrote about his journey to the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire, where Diwali was celebrated in October with homeowners lighting their homes and temples with lamps. According to the Ramayana, Diwali was only celebrated for two years in Ayodhya.
Diwali and other Hindu festivities were mentioned by Islamic historians of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire era. Some, most notably the Mughal emperor Akbar, encouraged and participated in the festivities, while others, such as Aurangzeb in 1665, prohibited such festivals as Diwali and Holi.
Diwali was also mentioned in British colonial publications, such as a notice on Hindu holidays published in 1799 by Sir William Jones, a philologist famed for his early discoveries on Sanskrit and Indo-European languages. Jones, who was based in Bengal at the time, observed four of the five days of Diwali in the fall months of Aswina-Cartica as follows: Bhutachaturdasi Yamaterpanam (2nd day), Lacshmipuja dipanwita (the day of Diwali), Dyuta pratipat Belipuja (4th day), and Bhratri dwitiya (5th day) (5th day). Jones described the Lacshmipuja dipanwita as a "huge night festival in honor of Lakshmi, with illuminations on trees and dwellings."
3. Diwali Activities
Enjoy yourself and your loved ones!
It is more than simply legends and lights. Diwali is a festival of love and enjoyment with family and friends! Exchange gifts, prepare delectable dinners, and enjoy fireworks displays together. Go all in!
Create stunning exhibits
Fresh flowers, vibrant sand rangolis, and eye-catching clothing! Shop and show off your artistic skills!
Count your lucky stars!
On this day, the Hindu Goddess of Prosperity, Lakshmi, is worshiped and appeased for her blessings.
Diya edible craft
There's no doubt that the spirit of Diwali comes with a magnificent lunchtime feast! So, how about making it more enjoyable for your child? While you're busy preparing a delicious spread, you might involve your children in the action to make it more engaging for them. You can introduce edible diya craft to your children by having them draw diya designs on top of biscuits. It might be a delicious dinner as well as a fun Diwali activity for your children!
Rangoli painting and sketching
Rangoli is an important part of the Diwali celebrations. A Diwali celebration would be incomplete without the creation of a stunning rangoli on the floor and its filling with vibrant colors. This Diwali, teach your children how to build basic rangolis. Give them the floor and let their creative instincts take over. You may enhance their experience by placing little diyas around their rangolis. You may also give them rangoli designs on paper and have them color them. Not only is it wonderful practice, but you can make it a fun and exciting Diwali game for your kids by challenging them to keep the colors within the lines.
Glitter Diwali greeting cards
Wishing each other a 'Happy Diwali' is a kind gesture, but it's even sweeter when done with greeting cards. Greeting cards are easily the top five things to do on the list of Diwali activities for kids. Children enjoy scribbling and playing with glitter. While you should use caution when dealing with your children as they paint the room red (or any of their favorite colors), you should encourage them to produce greeting cards. It is entirely up to them whether to use glitter or star-shaped sequins. But it would undoubtedly be exciting for them to participate in this enjoyable activity around Diwali. You might pique their curiosity by informing them that you will be mailing their Diwali greeting cards to close family and friends. You may not be able to visit them with COVID-19, but you can always send postcards and brighten someone's day!
Storytelling
Telling stories to children is one of the best Diwali activities. Tell them stories about the significance of Diwali to pique their curiosity and attention. The festival is an excellent opportunity to teach children about the celebration's significance. Because there are so many different interpretations of why Diwali is celebrated, your child will be aware of cultures from all over the country. Respond to their questions and urge them to learn more about Diwali, its significance, and why it is celebrated in the way it is. Enlighten them since now is an excellent moment to do the same. You can combine it with other Diwali games for kids to keep yours entertained.
Making Candles
What better way to celebrate the Festival of Lights than by dazzling up candles and diyas? Allow your child to experiment with glue, glitter, and glass with candles to see how they express their creativity! Candle making and diya making sound like enjoyable Diwali activities for children. You can do the same thing by purchasing candles and clay diyas on Amazon using the InterMiles app, earning miles in the process, and giving your child a catalyst to bring out their creative side. You can keep an eye on your children while they participate in Diwali activities. You might even accompany them and teach them a few tricks that you are familiar with.
Making a Lantern
Do you recall making paper lanterns in school and hanging them in the classroom windows around Diwali? Allow the memories to wash over you during Diwali as you engage your children in Diwali activities. Lantern creation has always been a fun pastime for kids since they get to learn about colors, designs, and innovative methods to make things while also learning a lot of lessons. There are numerous things your child may learn from this Diwali activity, from determining the proper quantity of glue to apply on the lantern to carefully using a pair of scissors to form the frills.
Diwali in green
Climate change is a major worry, and children must be educated on the subject. Use this year to instill the concepts of green Diwali in your children. During Diwali, avoid buying firecrackers or playing with fire. Instead, you might utilize this time to research non-polluting methods to celebrate Diwali. You may construct innocuous firecrackers with creative equipment and hang them around the house. You might also teach your children how to decorate the house with lights and flowers. Paper firecrackers are quickly becoming the most popular Diwali activity for children. Perhaps you might be inspired by the art and engage your children in crafting firecrackers out of colorful papers to add a festive mood to the house.
4. Diwali Quotes
“Diwali (Lakshmi Pujan/Amavasya) is the darkest night of the year. And our ancestors have taught us to overcome darkness with light.
When the moon is not shining, neither the sun nor sky is dark; India glitters. Proud of being part of such a wise and one of the finest traditions.
Happy Diwali to all. May der b light in your life. . .”― Harihar D. Naik
“Diwali is about setting goals, not accumulating gold. As Lakshmi comes from Lakshya, meaning Goal.”― Tapan Ghosh
“Recently, the Google Internet search "Diwali greetings" was the second-most popular search worldwide during Diwali.”― June Preszler
“This Diwali never forget my friend, every cracker you burn becomes the ink in the pen that will sign the death warrant for your children and all the children in the world.”― Abhijit Naskar
“Diwali is a festival of light and hope, not of pollution and death.”― Abhijit Naskar
“You cannot celebrate the festival of light before combating the darkness within”― Kapil Raj, ENDURER
“If you don’t put out your best dress, eat lots of sweets, enjoy the view, then what’s even the point of celebrating Diwali?”― Sarvesh Jain
