Diwali celebration ideas & ways – Candles glow and fireworks dot the sky as millions of people gather to celebrate the greatest Hindu calendar festival: Diwali.
Even in a land famous for its colorful and lively festivals, Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, represents a special occasion.
It is celebrated in autumn, in the month of Kartik of the Hindu calendar, although the exact date of the celebration changes every year throughout the months of October and November.
The festival as such lasts 5 days although the festivities that precede and follow the festival last a whole month.
100+ Creative, Unique, Traditional, Decorative & Funny Ways Ideas For Diwali Celebration
The Diwali: Customs and traditions
Although there are many reasons to celebrate Diwali, let’s say that in the first place it represents the symbolic victory of good over evil. In a literal sense, the Diwali represents the victory of the light over the darkness, with celebrations that extend to the darkest night of the month Kartik.
The night of the new moon, when almost all the houses are decorated with lights, candles, and diyas (oil lamps made of clay).
It is especially interesting that each community and region has its own special addition to the festivities, with special events such as Govardhan Puja, Durga Puja, BhaiTika and many others throughout this period of time.
It is important to keep in mind that, although it is a Hindu festival, Diwali is celebrated by people from different religions and social contexts.
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Tradition: in honor of Lakshmi
In many communities, Diwali is also associated with the goddess of well-being, Lakshmi, while many of its members pray to the goddess during Diwali night in a ritual called Lakshmi Puja.
It is customary to clean and decorate the home in preparation for the occasion, creating rangolis, that is, beautiful geometric patterns made of rice, flowers or sand at the main entrance of the house. Some families even leave the doors of their houses open at night so that Lakshmi can enter and bless them with prosperity.
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Highlights on Diwali festival:
- Fireworks: Most communities that celebrate this holiday festivity gather outside their own homes. After Lakshmi Puja, to commemorate the festivities with fireworks, which are much more than a mere and beautiful show of colors since its purpose is none other than to scare away evil spirits during the Diwali. Over the years, however, people have been changing their opinion about this tradition due to noise and pollution.
- The fun: card games and Diwali parties: Among the festivities associated with Diwali, playing cards are of central importance in the hearts of many Nepalese. In cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, a gambling game with money is one of the best things the festival has. All this, of course, is a funny and mischievous tone, and always in good faith.
Outside Nepal & India: Where to celebrate Diwali
Although Nepal and India are the epicenters of the holiday, it is not the only place in the world where Diwali is celebrated.
In fact, Diwali is an official holiday in many countries with a large Hindu population and is a respected holiday in various parts of the world. Here are some of these places where you can also celebrate Diwali:
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Indonesia
Although Indonesia is primarily a country of the Muslim religion, the Island of the Gods (Bali) is predominantly Hindu. The island comes alive during the Diwali when the islanders commemorate the festivities with excitement and enthusiasm.
Many of the festivities mimic Indian celebrations, such as Ramlila, fireworks, and candies, while many Balinese Hindus also create floating lanterns.
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Malaysia
Diwali in Malaysia is celebrated without fireworks, however, it is difficult to notice its absence thanks to the bids and the many elaborate decorations.
The country’s many Hindu temples are decorated during these celebrations, while the streets of so-called Little India in Kuala Lumpur are full of light and decorations. What’s more, many Indian restaurants in Malaysia offer special menus to commemorate Diwali.
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Singapore
The Diwali festivities begin in Singapore weeks before the current festival. Little India is adorned with giant statues of elephants and peacocks, while the scent of flowers and incense floods the Diwali market for days.
Another interesting part of the Diwali celebrations is the Theemithi in the Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown, where thousands of men walk barefoot on burning coal.
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Trinidad and Tobago
Although it may seem that this Caribbean island is an unexpected destination to celebrate Diwali. The Hindu population introduced it when it arrived here in the 19th century and today many other religions also celebrate it.
In fact, the country also has a Divali Nagar, which literally means the people of Diwali. In addition to lighting diyas, the country respects the tradition of bamboo bending.
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Australia
Thanks to the Indian diaspora, the vibrant Diwali celebrations are also celebrated in Australia through large rallies in the Federation Square in Melbourne and Harris Park in Sydney.
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You can enjoy the presentations of traditional music, Bollywood dance shows, and Indian gastronomic specialties.
How to celebrate Diwali?
The Diwali festivities have a certain resemblance to the celebration of the Western New Year. So if you want to celebrate Diwali altogether you have to take into account a couple of aspects:
- Houses should be especially bright and decorated with candles, many candles, which should be lit at sunset, so it is known as the festival of lights.
- Celebrate a family meal with abundant sweet and savory dishes. Gifts, games, and fireworks are lit during this family gathering.
- In Diwali, it is a tradition, in addition to cleaning the home, renovating it, so it is time to get rid of old appliances and even renew the colors of the house.
- Reconcile yourself with your enemies, the gods will have great rewards for those who do.
- Installing an altar for the goddess Lakshmí is very important, it can be with a photo that offers flowers, incense, and coins.
- At dusk, all the windows open to make an offer of light to Lakshmi so that she is in our home during the rest of the year.
- Prepare a few paper ships with sails to navigate the sacred rivers. The further you go, the greater the happiness!
- Finally, when the sun rises, the ritual begins by washing your head or bathing in the sacred River.
Sacred Ways to Celebrate Diwali
Diwali is the most important holiday in Nepal and is celebrated throughout the country, not only by Hindus. Buddhists, Sikhs, and Jainists also enjoy this national festival.
Each region and individual community has its own unique way of commemorating its traditions. However, what they share in common is the dominant theme of the Diwali festival: the victory of good over evil.
All the exciting rituals and elaborate practices are designed to commemorate the predominance of justice and light over spiritual darkness and ignorance. Each day has a different theme and spiritual meaning with very specific ceremonial and ritual activities associated with the day.
How To Celebrate Diwali With Your Family At Home – Ways Of Celebrating Deepavali, Festival of Lights
Here are six ways to participate in this extravagant and exciting religious festival. Although they are inspired by the traditional customs that are observed, feel free to customize them so that they have the maximum amount of power and inspiration in your life.
1) In Sanskrit, Deepavali means rows of lights, so the Diwali festival is commonly known as the Festival of Lights. Spend time contemplating and meditating, and ask how you can not only bring more light and vibrant energy to your own life. But also better serve as a source of radiance that warms the lives of others.
Consult a Vedic astrologer to take advantage of this 5,000-year-old method of divination, also known as Jyotisha, derived from the Sanskrit word Jyoti which means light. This science of light is valued and revered for its ability to make precise predictions about your future. While shedding a deep clarity on your current situation to help you renew your full potential.
2) In Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, people thoroughly clean their homes to prepare them for the arrival of Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. They also buy gold and buy new kitchen utensils.
What to Buy & What Things Not Buy on Dhanteras 2019, Diwali Festival
Create a purification ritual to free your life from anything you cannot control and that is holding you back. Perhaps it is a toxic relationship, a harmful mental habit or an addiction. Ask for the help of a shaman who can help, guide and free you. It may even be convenient and appropriate to perform a soul recovery session.
3) On the second day of the festival, celebrants decorate their homes with bright colors derived from dust and sand. The light clay lamps that burn with oil and decorate buildings and streets with threads of fairy lights and candles. Daily life acquires a magical and mystical glow as candlelight creates a very warm and cheerful atmosphere.
Bring warmth and joy to your own life by programming a soul mate reading. Or twin flame reading with a gifted psychic advisor who specializes in love and relationships. Go deep on the possible barriers that stand between you and your loved one. And learn what you can do to join the path of spiritual enlightenment with another devout soul that is looking for you.
4) The festival reaches its most exciting moment during the third day. Diwali is dedicated to families, feasts, and fireworks. After meeting for Lakshmi puja, a prayer to Goddess Lakshmi, partygoers enjoy sumptuous meals followed by fireworks displays that are truly thunderous. Family members exchange gifts and share treats.
Maybe you would like to prepare a special party for some of your family members? If this Diwali finds you crying to a recently deceased relative. Join forces with a psychic medium who specializes in communicating with the spirits of who left. It is a great way to resolve any pending issue and get clarity about the life lessons you went through.
5) The fourth day of the Festival of Lights is the Hindu equivalent to Western New Year’s Day. The relatives exchange gifts and best wishes for the season. It is a new financial year for merchants as well, and new accounting books are opened. Many prayers are offered, seeking the divine blessing of prosperity and goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, for a successful financial year.
You can also request prosperity by consulting a sacred oracle, such as the Letters of Angels. Summon your own Guardian Angels or spiritual guides to advise you on the most effective steps you can take to reach abundance in the coming months. Opening a line of direct communication with the kingdom of Angels can be an exciting and rewarding adventure.
6) Bhai Tika, the fifth and last day of the Diwali, is dedicated to the celebration of the sisters. The brothers visit their married sisters to serve them luxurious meals prepared in honor of the strong bond between them.
If you don’t have siblings, spend the day celebrating any brother-sister relationship in your life. If you are away from your brothers, a karmic astrologer can show you how a current tense relationship in your life is linked to a shared past life.
Celebrating Diwali in the traditional way
If you plan to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way of Nepal, your preparations for the occasion should begin at least a few weeks before. This is how you can celebrate Diwali in the traditional way:
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Clean and decorate your house
Cleaning and decorating your house is the initial step to celebrate a traditional Diwali. It is believed that during Diwali there should be no land or things scattered around your house.
An orderly, clean and well-decorated house are what brings positive vibes and also the blessings of the goddess Laxmi, who is venerated during the Diwali for prosperity.
So, if you plan to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way, you should start cleaning your home early enough, depending on the amount of cleaning you have to do.
Many opt for new paint at home before Diwali, particularly because giving a new paint to the walls of the rooms can easily transform the overall appearance of the house, giving it a fresh, clean and new appearance.
So, if the rooms look bad and it has been long that you have done a new paint job, giving the walls a new coat of paint can really do the trick. Instead of painting, you can also try new papers to give your home a new and clean look.
After cleaning, decorating your home is the next part to celebrate Diwali. You can decorate your home with some special new and interesting Diwali pieces for the occasion. Or you can add some new furniture and other items in your home to renew the overall appearance of the house.
However, these preparations must be made before Diwali, so that your home is ready before the occasion.
You can also decorate your home and give it a new look with DIY wall paint or by adding some new and interesting lights in your home. Adding more cushions and bean bags to your living room can be an easy option to complete the decoration.
31 Best Diwali Decoration Ideas – What Things To Buy In This Diwali 2019 For Decorations
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Do not miss the purchases
Celebrating the cleanliness and decoration of Diwali in your home is not everything, the use of new clothes and accessories is considered a custom for the Diwali celebration.
Therefore, if you plan to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way, start shopping before Diwali. New dresses, accessories, and gifts for loved ones can actually complete your Diwali celebration.
Buying jewelry is considered auspicious during Diwali, so don’t miss including jewelry on your Diwali shopping list.
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Prepare special sweets and snacks at home
No traditional Nepalese celebration can be complete without special sweets and snacks.
According to customs, Diwali’s special sweets and snacks are prepared at home. But if you are running out of time, you can always opt for Diwali’s special sweets and snacks purchased in stores.
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Dress
You really need to dress to celebrate Diwali in the traditional way. You should put on new clothes, new jewelry and other accessories that you have purchased so that it looks your best. Also, do not miss to get the right hairstyle and the right makeup for the holiday.
However, when selecting clothes to wear during Diwali, it is best to opt for cotton with fewer frills. If you use a ruffled cloth on Diwali day, at least be sure to change into a tight cotton cloth while fixing the diyas or lighting the fireworks to ensure fire safety.
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Rangoli and diyas are vital for the celebration of Diwali
Rangolis and Diyas make a vital part of Diwali’s decoration in every home. Decorate the entrance of your house with a colorful rangoli. You can choose any rangoli design based on your experience, the space available and the time you can spend.
See some interesting and new Rangoli designs on the web to choose the best ones. Once you are done with the Rangoli, light up every corner of your house with Diyas.
50 Most Attractive Looks Fo Rangoli Designs on This Diwali 2019 To Make Your Home Beautiful
You can also use electric and LED bulbs to decorate and illuminate your home. But always be sure to include some diyas in the decoration to create the ideal environment for Diwali.
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Keep Laxmi bid at home on the day
Diwali day is considered ideal for Laxmi puja at home. Celebrating your Diwali in a special way by having a Laxmi bid at home that day can be a great option.
You should invite your friends and neighbors to your home for the bid and make sure it is completed at night.
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Light some fireworks
Firework lighting is another indispensable part of the Diwali celebration. Be sure to buy good quality fireworks in advance and then light the fireworks together with your family and friends.
Be sure to light the fireworks in an open area and keep the precautions suggested in the fireworks packages while lighting them.
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Play cards
It is a custom in many Nepalese families to play cards on Diwali night.
If you like to play cards, it can be a great way to celebrate the night after lighting the fireworks with your family and friends.
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Have a great party
After the bidding and lighting of the fireworks are over, having a big party with your family and friends can make your Diwali special. Most people are food lovers and, without the right food, no occasion can be complete.
Therefore, prepare special meals for the party at night or go to a restaurant to enjoy a special dinner with family and friends.
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Go on a trip with family and friends
To celebrate Diwali you can always go on a trip you have always dreamed of. You can also take a trip to some village to see how Diwali is celebrated there, which can be a great experience in itself.
It is best to go on a trip to a large group so that the trip is also a meeting. But if you cannot do it at the same time, you can go out with your family. Even going on a dream trip can only be great to celebrate your Diwali in a special way.
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Share your happiness with the needy
Happiness is something that increases when sharing. Share your happiness and make the Diwali of the people in need in your society brighter, it can actually be the best Diwali celebration for you.
So, if you think you don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on doing things that might not have a real impact on anyone’s life. It’s better to spend your Diwali budget to lighten the Diwali of the poor and needy.
You can donate money for charities, you can give gifts to people in need. And help you lead a better life or just organize a party for the poor in your area on Diwali special day to make it special not only for you but also to everybody.
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Watch movies and eat out
If you have a gang of friends, you can always celebrate Diwali together by watching the best movie releases during Diwali and then eating outside. You can also go to a disco to move your legs and enjoy the day to the fullest.
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Attend Diwali celebrations and special functions
There must be Diwali celebrations and special functions in your city during the time. You can always attend these functions and special celebrations to enjoy the day.
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Diwali with bonfire:
Most of us have no idea about creating a Diwali bonfire. A bonfire can be created in any area with twigs and lumber.
You can also plan to create a bonfire in your backyard, terrace, and garden; It’s safe wherever you are. Even a small area can accommodate a fire-resistant ship. The best time to create a bonfire will be dinner with the family, snacks, tea and some games.
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Diwali Mehendi in the afternoon:
Invite all your friends on Mehendi night or Mehendi afternoon to add charm to the festival. Enjoy time with snacks, gossip, a few games, and dance or music. This will create an exquisite festive atmosphere.
By Ankur Pradhan
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