Diwali/Deepavali
Diwali/Deepavali in United Kingdom, for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
| United Kingdom | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
| Diwali/Deepavali | Wednesday 7th November | Sunday 27th October | Saturday 14th October |
Diwali/Deepavali
So where does Dīvali, 'The Festival of Lights', come from?
A Hindu holiday, Diwali/Deepavali', 'Dīvali' or Dīpāwali as it is sometimes spelt is all about the 'light always triumphing over the dark, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. A very spiritual festival, Dīpāwali, Diwali/Deepavali, always falls in the Hindu calendar or 'Lunisolar' month, of Kartika. Deepavali is always celebrated right on the darkest new moon night in the Hindu Calendar and is an ancient festival which is celebrated and looked forwards to by all Hindus world wide. In India it is a national holiday with the same significance as New Year's eve in the west, and often takes days to get over as well!
Ways to celebrate the Hindu Festival of Deepvali
Above all else Diwali/Deepavali is a festival of joy and thanks giving for the return to the light after the darkest moon. However, preparations start on the day that Dīvali/Dīpāwali falls on in the Hindu calendar, when the house is cleaned from top to bottom by the whole family. Then as dusk falls Diwali/Deepavali starts in earnest when the family lights as many candles as possible so that there are simply no dark areas in the house. As the light burns out any dark remaining energy, this is when the Hindu holiday and the Diwali Festival begins in earnest. Special Diwali/Deepavali prayers are said in honour of the goddess of abundance and good luck, Lakshmi. This is followed by special Dīvali Festival fireworks to mark the moon's darkest hour, and bring in the new Diwali/Deepavali energy. After this, a great Dīvali/Dīpāwali feast is eaten, finished by rich sweets, and the exchange of gifts.
The Diwali Festival is for everyone
Because this Hindu Holiday is easy to understand, foreigners often take part too, such is the generous nature of the Dīvali/Dīpāwali, one of the best holidays in the Hindu calendar.
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