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Diwali festival is a widely celebrated occasion in India’s cultural milieu. Diwali or Deepavali is a significant Hindu festival that is celebrated on Amavasya, a no-moon night, across the length and breadth of the nation. Fondly known as the festival of lights, the history of Diwali is deeply rooted in India’s ancient culture. While some believe it to be a marriage celebration between Goddess Laxmi, the Hindu god of wealth, and Lord Vishnu, the creator of the universe; others celebrate Diwali as a momentous occasion marking the return of Lord Ram after his 14-year-long exile from Ayodhya. Diwali, irrespective of its history, heralds the beginning of the New Year as per the Hindu calendar. Celebrated with immense pomp and show, the Deepavali festival is an auspicious occasion to welcome wealth and prosperity into our homes and lives.
All about Diwali
Diwali, a festival of lights, is a five-day celebratory affair where friends and family get together to honour the spirit of togetherness in a large culturally rooted society. Homes are decorated with gleaming fairy lights, earthen diyas, and colourful rangolis. Tables are lined with scrumptious delicacies and sweet treats as you welcome friends and relatives to be a part of the celebrations. At night, some people also light crackers to symbolise the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and hope over despair.
Diwali 2024 dates
The Indian festival Diwali will fall on October 31, 2024 this year. Apart from the main day, other auspicious days of Diwali around it are Dhanteras, Narak Chaturdashi, Gowardhan Pooja, and Bhai Dhooj. The festivities for Diwali 2024 start from October 29th, which is Dhanteras, the day when one makes new purchases. Thereafter, on October 30th, is Narak Chaturdashi. On this day, people clean their houses and prayers are also offered to Yamaraj and a lamp is lit which is believed to protect one from the sufferings of naraka or hell.
Post Diwali 2024, on 1st of November is Govardhan Pooja, where the Govardhan parvat is worshipped. It is believed that Lord Krishna once saved the people of Mathura from the wrath of Lord Indra by lifting the Govardhan on his pinky finger, and letting them seek shelter there. And the last day is Bhai Dooj, which marks the bond between brothers and sisters.
Diwali celebrations in India
Wondering how is Diwali celebrated in India? Diwali or Deepavali celebration across the country is a testament to unity in diversity. Every home in the city, town, and village is lit with lights and diyas to signify the victory of light over darkness.
People clean and ready their homes before Diwali, and change up the look with festive decor. While some like to keep it sober, there are a lot of people who love Diwali parties, and if you’re one of those, here’s a quick guide on what would be a great addition to your bar for Diwali.
Tash parties or parties where everyone gathers for fun times and games are also a big part of Diwali celebrations. If you’re going to be hosting those for Diwali 2024, don’t forget our quick guide for eco-friendly Diwali parties.
Diwali decorations
With the house deep cleaned, powdered colours are used to make intricate rangoli designs. Diyas are lit both inside and outside the house to set the tone for a joyful occasion. Goddess Laxmi’s feet are made at the entrance as a sign of welcoming her into the home. Fresh flowers for Diwali decor are also a great idea for the temple area for the Diwali puja.
Apart from the fresh floral decor, you can also explore a wide variety of accessories to deck up your house for Diwali. If you want to spice the look a bit, you can also explore different themes or aesthetics. For example, go for gold and burgundy for a royal vibe, and you can coordinate everything interior in the same colour scheme. Or if changing the colours of the interiors is tough, go for a unifying type of home accessory.
Diwali festival must-have foods
Any Indian festival must include a variety of delicious treats that include both sweet and savoury dishes. Diwali is a festival of lights and fragrances, where the aroma of scrumptious festive food will fill your senses and satiate your taste buds. The real fun of festivals in India lies in eating tasty food with friends and family. Here are some festive-worthy dishes to make:
1. Samosa chaat
Lip-smacking Indian street food with spicy and tangy chutneys, samosa chaat is the perfect savoury snack for Diwali. Deliciously deep-fried, you can make your samosas, chutneys, and matar ki ghugni beforehand. Assemble, garnish with coriander, sev and serve to your guests. Get the recipe here.
2. Dahi bhalla papdi chaat
Another yummy Indian snack, dahi bhalla and papdi are an unbeatable combination of two crowd favourite dishes. The soft dahi bhallas topped with crunchy papdi, tangy tamarind chutney, spicy mint coriander chutney, and sweet yoghurt is a soul-satisfying dish for Diwali. Get the recipe here.
3. Badam ki kheer
Diwali India-wali is no fun without delicious desserts. Badam ki Kheer, a milk-based decadent sweet dish is made using thick milk, almonds, khoya, and ghee. A creamy, glossy kheer that is garnished with slivers of dry fruits, rose petals, and strands of saffron are befitting the occasion of Diwali. Get the recipe here.
If you want something unconventional for your celebrations this year, try these 12 festive recipes beyond mithai and namkeen for Diwali.
Best gifts for Diwali 2024
Diwali celebration in India is synonymous with love and togetherness. An age-old ritual during the festival is the tradition of gift-giving on Diwali. The exchange of gifts signifies an expression of appreciation and prosperity between family and friends. Some of the most common gifts that are given on the auspicious occasion of Diwali represent an unwavering bond of Indian culture. From dry fruit boxes to curated hampers with delicious edibles, silver idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Laxmi, boxes of sweets and cakes, candles, and auspicious wall hangings–the list can go on and on. You can also take it a notch higher with these sustainable gift ideas for Diwali 2024.
The joy of gift-giving on Diwali spreads positivity and happiness. Whether it is given to an employee, a relative, or your domestic help–-the festive season calls for gestures that reflect warmth and compassion.
Getting ready for Diwali 2024
Whether you’re getting ready for the Diwali 2024 pooja, or can’t decide on the perfect outfit for the festive season parties, we have your back with these Diwali fashion tips. Beautiful jewel-toned silk sarees are evergreen, but like these celebrity influencers' Diwali looks, you can also experiment with indo-western outfits. Or get inspired by Bollywood for a perfectly styled look for your Diwali 2024 parties.
A key thing to keep in mind is that looking good in your Diwali outfits doesn’t necessarily mean you burn a massive hole in your pocket. If you’re looking for festive outfits for Rs 15,000 and less, we got you. If you lean more towards sustainably reusing older outfits, you can make use of these stylish accessories this Diwali for a new take. Finish these Diwali fashion tips up with these classic festive hairstyles.
Apart from these, subtle touches like Diwali inspired nail art and festive makeup looks can also immediately elevate your fashion game. But not only women, but men also deserve to look their best in Diwali outfits. Whether you’re a shy person who barely keeps up with fashion trends, or somebody who is very well aware of what works for them but in need of new fashion-inspo, check out this guide for men’s festive looks.
Diwali getaways
Not feeling festive enough? We get you. While festivities can be fun, loving times to catch up with friends and family, they sometimes can be a little too tiring, and for some, holidays like these are the only times when the entire set of loved ones can manage a trip together. If that’s what your scene is on Diwali 2024, we have the best getaway suggestions for you. If you want a luxury staycation on Diwali, these stunning properties is what you should explore. If you want to travel to experience the festivities in different parts of the country, then these are the places to visit on Diwali. If you’re planning a quaint trip, however, here are the best destinations to visit on Diwali long weekend.
Disclaimer: The details mentioned throughout this blog are sourced from publicly accessible platforms. At Zeezest, we intend to share factual and verified information. Should there be any inconsistencies or variances in the information provided, please understand that these are entirely unintentional and not meant to mislead.