Diwali 2024: Know why Diwali is celebrated, its significance, & various rituals across India

Symbolizing victory of ‘good over evil’ and ‘light over darkness’, the great Indian festival, ‘Diwali’ falls on the darkest night of the year on the 15th day of Kartik month.

So as we prepare to tune into the festival this year, let’s learn about this legendary festival, ‘Diwali’ which has now spread all over the world.

Why do we celebrate Diwali?

Besides the popular belief of marking the end of the harvest season in India before the arrival of winter, there are many mythological stories that mystified Diwali.

Among them, Lord Rama, Maa Sita, and Lord Lakshman’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile and the defeat of the king of Lanka is the most well-known.

The day also marks the death of the evil king Narakasura in the hand of Lord Krishna. Many parts of Northern India, Assam, and Southern Tamil celebrate Diwali to honour Lord Krishna.

The day is also remembered as the day when the Pandava brothers returned to Hastinapur from 12 years of exile after losing the game of dice.

Besides the mythological tales, Diwali is celebrated as a community festival where people gather, light diyas, and candles, decorate their homes, exchange gifts and sweets, and more.

Diwali 2024 Significance:

Diwali

When Lord Rama returned to Ayodhya along with his wife and brother, the people of Ayodhya celebrated the occasion by lighting the streets and homes with diyas and lamps. This tradition is still followed today as Diwali.

The day also signifies enlightening our minds and hearts with positivity and clarity and removing doubts and negativity.

People worship Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesh and exchange gifts with near and dear ones.

Diwali rituals across Indian states:

Diwali Rituals

Odisha:

Odias summon their forefathers using ‘Kauriya Kathi’ or the jute plant sticks, which are lit to pay respect to ancestors and seek their blessing. They follow certain rituals and offer Prasad. 

Goa:

In Goa, people celebrate Diwali by burning the effigy of Narakasura, who was the wicked king of Goa in mythology and was slain by Lord Krishna.

Chhattisgarh:

The tribal people in Chhattisgarh celebrate Diwali by marrying their crops by following proper rituals with an idol of Lord Narayan. 

Madhya Pradesh:

A day after Diwali, the villagers in Ujjain district bathe their cows, adorn them with flowers, and worship them. The ritual is known as Govardhan Puja.

Bengal:

West Bengal celebrates the famous Kali Puja where Goddess Kali, another form of Goddess Durga is worshipped on a pandal with stunning rangoli designs alongside it.

Apart from these, Himachal’s 'Bhudi Diwali', Punjab’s 'Bandi Chhor Divas', and Maharashtra’s 'Narak Chaturdashi', are famous Diwali rituals and signify incredible Indian culture and tradition.