Published By: Nibandh Vinod
Last Updated: November 01, 2023, 11:00 IST
Diwali 2023: This 5-day Deepavali festival involves various rituals and ceremonies. (Image: Shutterstock)
Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya Tithi of Kartik Month. This year it falls on November 12.
Diwali or Deepawali is a truly special and exciting festival celebrated worldwide. It’s a time when family comes together to celebrate with gratitude, togetherness, generosity, and kindness. This 5-day festival involves various rituals and ceremonies. People exchange Diwali greetings and texts to express their love and best wishes.
ALSO READ: Diwali 2023: All You Need to Know About the Festival of Lights – Deepawali, Deepotsav
Diwali, the most famous and dazzling festival of lights, is all about commemorating the victory of good over evil. According to the Drik Panchang, Diwali is celebrated on the Amavasya Tithi of Kartik Month. Diwali falls on November 12, 2023. Let’s take a look at how to celebrate the festival of lights with fervour.
Clean your house on or before the first day of Diwali
Before the first day of Diwali, it’s a tradition to clean the house, signifying a fresh start. This cleaning ritual involves doing your laundry, tidying up cluttered spaces, and organizing bills and paperwork. It’s a way to cleanse your environment and make room for the positive energy of Diwali and the new beginning ahead.
Decorate your home and doorways with rangoli on the second day
On the occasion of Diwali, people decorate their homes and doorways with vibrant rangoli designs. You can create your rangoli design by sketching it on transparent parchment paper and then sprinkling sand or dried rice over it. To add color, you can use coloured rice or sand from a craft store, or even dye your materials with food colouring.
Rangoli is a traditional form of art and decoration made from sand or rice, often depicting symmetrical and beautiful flowers like lotuses and daisies. While these designs are typically placed near the entryway of the home, you’re free to display them in other places as well.
Recite Mantras
In Hindu tradition, mantras are chanted to seek the blessings of good fortune, wealth, youth, and beauty. An individual can practice reciting the traditional mantras with other family members. One simple mantra involves repeating “Shreem” to attract prosperity.
Light Diyas and Candles
To welcome the goddess Lakshmi into the home during Diwali, it is customary to light 4-6 diyas or small oil lamps near the doorways, often placed around your rangoli designs. You can also use small tea lights instead. While they’re usually on the floor, consider elevating them if you have pets or small children. Diwali is the Festival of Lights, so don’t hesitate to place candles and diyas in other areas of the home as well.
Hang string lights around your home to make it bright and festive
Embrace the spirit of the Festival of Lights by brightening up the entire home. Hang string lights indoors by lining them along walls and weaving them through tables and mantels. You can also decorate outside by hanging lights on your roof and fences. You have the choice of using plain white lights or colourful strings to create a festive atmosphere.
