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Diwali is one of India’s biggest and most important festivals. But it’s celebrated by many Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists worldwide.
As well as its deep religious significance, the ‘Festival of Lights’ is a time to come together with loved ones, exchange gifts, and share sumptuous food. Other popular traditions include wearing new clothes, enjoying fireworks displays, and lighting candles and clay lamps.
Keen to learn more about this spiritual and vibrant festival? We’ve pulled together some Diwali highlights below – including a few popular recipes to try.
What is Diwali?
As mentioned above, Diwali (also spelt Divali, Deepavali, or Deepawali) is a religious festival celebrated worldwide by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains (practitioners of Jainism, an ancient Indian religion centred around non-violence). Some Buddhists celebrate Diwali, too.
Originating from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning‘row (or series) of lights’, it’s commonly called the ‘Festival of Lights’. This is largely due to the custom of lighting small clay lamps, known as diyas, which symbolise the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance.
Diwali is a rich and diverse festival, and customs, traditions, and reasons for celebrating depend on where they live and what religion they practice. However, in many cases, the festival lasts five days.
When is Diwali?
The dates of Diwali are determined by the Hindu lunisolar calendar. Unlike our Jan-Dec calendar, which only accounts for the sun’s movements, the Hindu lunisolar calendar also factors in the moon’s movements.
This means the dates for Diwali change yearly. In 2025, it’ll be celebrated from the 18th to the 22nd of October.
The biggest Diwali celebrations typically happen on the third day, which marks the new moon on the darkest night of the Hindu calendar. For many, the festival also coincides with the new year.
Why is Diwali celebrated?
For all faiths, Diwali is a time to light candles and celebrate the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, hope over despair, and wisdom over ignorance. But different religions have different reasons for celebrating.
Diwali in Hinduism
During Diwali, many Hindus commemorate the homecoming of Rama, the seventh avatar of the god Vishnu, the preserver and protector of the universe.
According to Hindu tradition, Diwali marks the day when Rama returned home to the city of Ayodhya after spending 14 years in exile and saving his wife, Sita (an avatar of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and fortune), from a demon called Ravana.
Diwali is also a time when some Hindus celebrate Krishna (Vishnu’s eighth incarnation) and his victory over the cruel king, Narakasura.
Diwali in Sikhism
Sikhs, on the other hand, don’t technically celebrate Diwali but Bandi Chhor Divas, which translates to ‘prisoner release day’. This holiday coincides with Diwali and commemorates the selfless acts of Guru Hargobind, the sixth spiritual master of the faith.
Bandi Chhor Divas marks the guru’s release from prison along with 52 princes by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. According to tradition, the emperor granted Guru Hargobind his freedom, but he refused to leave without the other prisoners.
Reluctant to let the princes go, Jahangir said that he would release any prisoners who could hold onto the guru’s robe as he left. As a result, the guru had a cloak made with 52 tassels so all the prisoners could follow him to freedom. It’s said they arrived back in the holy city of Amritsar on Diwali.
Diwali in Jainism
Meanwhile, according to Jainism, Diwali falls on the anniversary of the day that the last of the 24 supreme spiritual leaders, Mahavira, reached enlightenment.
Diwali in Buddhism
And finally, while many Buddhists don’t celebrate Diwali, for some, it marks the day that Emperor Ashoka, who ruled Magadha (today’s West-central Bihar) from 268-232 BCE, converted to Buddhism.
How is Diwali celebrated?
There are many ways to celebrate Diwali. Below, we’ve highlighted some of the most common…
Lights
The most iconic feature of Divali is probably the lights. In Hindu tradition, small earthen oil lamps (diyas) are lit in houses, temples, and workspaces to welcome the presence of Lakshmi, who’s said to bring wealth, fortune, and prosperity.
For Jains, candles can represent Mahavira’s enlightenment, and Sikhs float them on the waters around the Golden Temple of Amritsar – their most holy place – to celebrate the guru’s return from imprisonment.
Some diya displays are limited to people’s homes, while others are massive communal efforts. The largest one took place last year in the city of Ayodhya, where 2,512,585 lamps were lit along the river banks, setting a Guinness World Record.
Fireworks and sparklers are also popular throughout Diwali, but they’re used less frequently nowadays due to environmental concerns like air pollution.
Cleaning and decorating
For many, the lead-up to Diwali and the first day of celebrations (Dhanteras) is spent cleaning and decorating their homes.
This is not just to prepare for guests but also because, according to tradition, Lakshmi will only visit (and bestow her blessings of wealth and prosperity upon) clean and well-decorated houses. It’s customary to leave doors open, too, so she can enter.
Rangolis are one of the most popular decorations used during Diwali. These mesmerising geometric patterns are often made on the floor from things like coloured sand, rice, flowers, and spices. Many rangolis are shaped like lotus flowers and placed in doorways as a sign of welcome.
Rangoli are an integral part of the festivities. As artist and educator Jugnu Verma tells the New York Times, “The Christmas tree is to Christmas as rangoli is to Diwali.” Many people also decorate their homes with garlands of jasmine.
Shopping
Shopping is another big part of Diwali for many people worldwide. For example, it’s traditional for many Hindus to shop for kitchen utensils or items made of gold on the first day of the festivities.
The run-up to Diwali is also when lots of people buy gifts and new outfits to wear throughout the festival. Diwali clothes are usually brightly coloured, embellished with intricate embroidery, and accompanied by winding henna tattoos and sparkling jewellery.
Prayer
For Hindus, the second day of Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti, meaning ‘small’ Diwali) is a time for praying for ancestors’ souls. On the fifth day (Bhai Dooj), sisters may offer prayers for the health and prosperity of their brothers, and are given gifts in return.
As well as cleaning and decorating, lighting candles, and various other elaborate ceremonies, prayers are also offered to Lakshmi. Collectively, these rituals are known as Lakshmi Puja.
Food
Like so many holidays, food plays a key part in many Diwali celebrations – whether giving food to people in need, making offerings to the gods, delivering delectable dishes to neighbours, or enjoying a meal with loved ones.
One of the simplest ways to get involved with the festivities is by whipping up some Diwali-inspired dishes and sharing them with friends and family. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together some savoury snacks and sumptuous sweets for you to make at home…
6 delicious Diwali recipes to try
1. Aloo bonda
Because Diwali is a time for visiting, hosting, and attending parties, finger foods are popular.
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing snack, look no further than this aloo bonda recipe from Times Food. These deep-fried, spiced potato bites are sold on the streets of Southern India and are particularly delicious when dipped in mango or tomato chutney.
2. Papdi chaat
Loosely translating to ‘tasting crackers’, papdi chaat is Indian cuisine’s answer to nachos.
For this dish, crunchy fried crackers are covered in a range of delicious toppings – from creamy yoghurts and sweet chutneys to potatoes, coriander, and sev (small, crispy noodles made from chickpea flour).
Why not try this papdi chaat from Dassana’s Veg Recipes? Or, if you’re in the mood for something a little more refreshing, you could try this recipe from Cook With Manal, which uses pomegranate seeds for a zingy kick.
3. Dal
Spicy, comforting, and packed with flavour, dal is a mainstay of traditional Indian cooking.
Typically made with lentils, beans, or peas, dal is endlessly versatile. It can contain various spices (from cumin and coriander to ginger and turmeric) and be made to whatever consistency you like. Serve it as a side dish or main course for your loved ones this Diwali – just don’t forget the chapati for dipping.
For a Diwali-inspired dal, try making this rich, buttery dal makhani from chef Sanjay Aggarwal. And to make your own chapati, take a look at this recipe from BBC Good Food.
4. Barfi
Perfectly complementing the joyous and celebratory nature of this holiday, sweets (mithai) are an integral part of Diwali. And it’s not uncommon for some households to start making sweets over a week before the festival kicks off.
When it comes to mithai, there are all kinds to choose from – each with different fillings, textures, toppings, and flavours. But one of the most popular is barfi.
Also called ‘burfi’, barfi is a fudge-like sweet treat made from milk, sugar, and ghee – and there are plenty of variations.
Coconut barfi, like this one from Swasthi’s Recipes, is a popular choice, as is chocolate barfi and anjeer barfi. Anjeer barfi is a healthier, protein-packed alternative featuring dried figs and nuts. Alternatively, you can try making kalakand, which is somewhere between barfi and cake.
5. Ladoo
Ladoos (or laddus) are spherical sweets that also grace many tables during Diwali. Like barfi, you can make ladoos from a range of ingredients.
At their most basic, they’re made by frying a chickpea (or gram) flour batter and mixing it with sugary syrup. Nuts, seeds, and spices are also added for extra flavour.
Coconut ladoos are especially popular for special occasions. You can find out how to make them on Dassana’s Veg Recipes.
For more ideas for luscious ladoos to make this Diwali – like motichoor ke ladoos, which are packed with cashews, raisins, saffron, and cardamom – check out this article from NDTV Food. And to make another popular, round Diwali treat, why not try this traditional gulab jamun recipe?
6. Sharbat
While some people around the world enjoy a beer or a glass of prosecco on Diwali, soft drinks are more traditional – one of the most popular and diverse of which is sharbat.
Originating in the Middle East, these colourful beverages were introduced to India by the Mughal emperors in the 1500s. They’re often sweet, made by combining ingredients like fruit juices, herbs, flower extracts, sugar, and water.
Mohabbat ka sharbat is a popular and refreshing one to make, featuring delightful flavours of watermelon and rose (you can even add some cardamom for an extra kick). This recipe from Rak’s Kitchen will show you how to make it. Or why not try this sattu sharbat from Dassana’s Veg Recipes, which distils sumptuous savoury ingredients into a refreshing drink?
Final thoughts…
Diwali is a vibrant and multifaceted holiday celebrating rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Alongside dazzling displays of diyas and fireworks, it’s a time to look ahead with a hopeful gaze, spend time with loved ones, and enjoy good food.
We hope this article has given you a glimpse into the Festival of Lights, including why and how it’s celebrated. And for our readers looking forward to their celebrations, we wish you a happy and safe Diwali!
Do you celebrate Diwali? If so, what does the festival mean to you, and what’s your favourite part? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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