Blog by Shammi G., Divya T., and Susan G.
This five-day multi-faith festival is typically celebrated between September and November, depending on the Hindu Lunar calendar. It is celebrated all over India by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists. Diwali marks the start of an auspicious new year and a time of bountiful harvest.
Diwali has great cultural, religious, and spiritual significance. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is an opportunity for people to let go of past grudges and be merry. Today, Diwali is not only a religious festival but also a grand celebration of family reunions, gift-giving, and sharing joy.
The lighting of diyas (earthen lamps) is believed to represent the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. Diwali, Bandi Chhor Divas, and Nava Saal are celebrated around the world as a time for family and friends to come together and decorate homes with diyas and candles. Festivities include fireworks, and homes are filled with the fragrant aromas of traditional food and delightful sweets.
The holiday of Diwali represents lessons and values to be kept throughout one’s life. Each value and lesson is celebrated on a particular day of the five-day holiday, and it is taught through the struggles and triumphs of Gods and other important figures in the religion’s mythology.
Diwali is an auspicious Hindu festival, and depending on the Lunar calendar, it may fall on different dates each year. This year, Diwali takes place from October 18 through October 22.
Day 1, October 18, Dhanteras (Day of fortune):
The first day of Diwali is considered an auspicious day for cleaning the house, buying gold, or gathering luck-bringing trinkets and utensils. Dhanteras celebrates the birth of Dhanvantri, the god of medicine. ‘Dhan’ means ‘wealth’ and ‘Teras’ refers to the thirteenth day of the dark Lunar month. So, on this day, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, Lakshmi, is also invoked to bless the household with prosperity.
Day 2, October 19, Naraka Chaturdasi (Day of knowledge):
Alarms are set, and families rise before dawn to take a holy bath, change into new clothes right after, and have breakfast with friends and family. Naraka Chaturdasi commemorates the Diwali story of how Shri Krishna, an avatar of Vishnu, defeated the demon Narakasura, thus banishing fear from the world.
Day 3, October 20, Diwali/Lakshmi Puja (Day of light):
The big celebration, filled with food and fireworks! Homes and streets are decorated with diyas and rangolis. Prayers are offered to Lakshmi. It is also the day when the years-long gloom over the ancient city of Ayodhya is said to have been lifted with the return of the rightful and righteous ruler of the kingdom, Lord Ram, along with his wife, Sita, and brother Laxman, from their fourteen-year-long exile in the forest.
Day 4, October 21, Govardhan Puja:
On this day, friends and family exchange gifts. The legend goes that Lord Indra was provoked and tried to submerge the town of Gokul. Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokul from the wrath of Lord Indra by lifting the Govardhan Mountain to provide succor. A blessing was bestowed on the Govardhan Mountain that it would be honored through the ages. The tradition has been followed ever since.
Day 5, October 22, Bhai Dooj:
An opportunity for more family time and tasty meals, this time centered around brothers and sisters. Traditionally, men of the family visit the homes of their married sisters to pray for each other’s good fortune.
Bandi Chhor Divas
Bandi Chhor Divas, which translates to “the day of liberation,” is celebrated by Sikhs by lighting candles to remember the day when Guru Har Gobind Sahib was released from prison in 1619 after he had been wrongly imprisoned by the authorities at Gwalior fort. When he was released, Guru Har Gobind Sahib insisted that 52 princes who were also wrongly imprisoned should be freed as well. The emperor agreed that when Guru Har Gobind Sahib left, only those who could hold onto the Guru’s cloak would be freed. Guru Har Gobind Sahib then had a special robe made with 52 tassels so that everyone could go free. When Guru Har Gobind was released and traveled back home to Amritsar, he arrived during the celebration of Diwali. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali by wishing each other ‘Happy Bandi Chhor Divas’.
The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment he reached a state called Moksha, (nirvana or eternal bliss) as well as a day that marks new beginnings, similar to a new year. Hence, members of the Jain community wish each other a Happy New Year by saying, “Nava Saal Mubarak”.
Buddhists, on the other hand, celebrate it as the day the Hindu Emperor Ashoka, who ruled in the third century BC, converted to Buddhism. The day is celebrated as Ashok Vijayadashami. On this day, the monasteries and temples are decorated, and Buddha is worshipped.
Diwali Events at AC Library
Come share in the joy of Diwali! Everyone is welcome to attend.
- Diwali Hindi Storytime at the Fremont Main Library on Monday, October 6 from 6:15–7 pm
- How to Henna for Kids at the Fremont Main Library on Friday, October 10 from 3:45–4:45 pm
- Deepavali Tamil Storytime at the Fremont Main Library on Monday, October 13 from 6:15–7 pm
- Diwali Crafts for Kids at the Fremont Main Library on Wednesday, October 15 from 4–5 pm
- Diwali: Festival of Lights Celebration at the Dublin Library on Wednesday, October 15 from 4–6 pm
- Bollywood Dance for Kids at the Fremont Main Library on Thursday, October 16 from 4–5 pm
- Art History in Action: Rangoli Design at the San Lorenzo Library on Thursday, October 23 from 4–5 pm
- Newark - Diwali Variety Show at the Silliman Center in Newark on Sunday, November 2 from 12:30–3:30 pm
Booklists
Alameda County Library invites everyone to learn about and celebrate Diwali with these books for children you can check out with your library card. Diwali is the Indian “festival of lights,” celebrating the triumph of good over evil. In 2025, this five-day holiday begins on Saturday, October 18, with celebrations continuing into Wednesday, October 22. Learn more about this celebration, which follows the lunar calendar—what each day represents, the delicious foods, and the fascinating traditions." (Almanac)
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