Introduction
Diwali or Festival of Lights is one of the biggest and most popular festivals in India. Diwali 2023 date are out and this year it’s on Sunday, 12th November. It’s the day of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali is not just a festival it’s an experience of joy, warmth and togetherness. This article will cover the date, significance, traditions and preparations of Diwali 2023 date.
Problem
Millions of people around the world celebrate Diwali with great fervor every year. But many are confused about the exact date of the festival due to the lunar calendar used in Hindu traditions. This leads to uncertainty in planning the celebrations, buying gifts and organizing family get togethers. The problem lies in the complex calculation of the Hindu lunar calendar which makes it difficult to find out the exact date of Diwali every year.
Agitate
Imagine planning a festival without knowing the exact date. You might buy gifts too early or too late. You might even miss out on booking travel tickets and have no time to spend with loved ones. The uncertainty can cause stress and lead to last minute rushes and sometimes even missing out on important rituals. This can be frustrating especially when Diwali is all about planning and celebrating with family and friends.
Solution: Diwali 2023 Date
Knowing the exact date of Diwali 2023 in advance you can plan everything perfectly. You can prepare for the rituals, buy gifts and arrange travel without any last minute stress. Diwali is on Sunday, 12th November this year so you have a date to mark on your calendar. This article will give you all the information you need to celebrate Diwali 2023 Date with joy.
Diwali Meaning:
Diwali is not just a festival it has deep cultural and religious significance. It’s celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists across the world. The festival means different things to different communities:
- Hindus celebrate Diwali as the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. It also marks the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasura.
- Jains celebrate it as the day Lord Mahavira attained Nirvana or liberation.
- Sikhs celebrate Diwali as the release of their 6th Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji from Gwalior Fort.
Buddhists in some regions, particularly Newar Buddhists of Nepal celebrate Diwali as part of their own tradition.
Diwali 2023 Date Preparations:
Diwali preparations start weeks in advance. Homes are cleaned, renovated and decorated with lights, lamps and rangolis. The air is filled with the aroma of sweets being made in every household. Markets are full of people buying new clothes, gifts and firecrackers.
- Cleaning and Decorating Homes: First step in Diwali preparation is cleaning the home. This means removing the negativity and making space for positivity. After cleaning, homes are decorated with colorful rangolis, candles and diyas.
- Shopping: Diwali is a new beginning and this is symbolized by buying new clothes and household items. People also buy gold, silver and other precious items as it is considered auspicious.
- Sweets and Treats: Diwali is incomplete without sweets. Traditional sweets like ladoos, barfis and jalebis are made at home or bought from the market. These are shared with neighbors, friends and family members as a gesture of goodwill.
- Puja and Rituals: On Diwali day, a Lakshmi Puja is performed in most homes. This puja is for Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. People believe that Goddess Lakshmi visits their homes on Diwali night and to welcome her they light up their homes with diyas and candles.
- Lighting Up the Night: The most iconic part of Diwali is lighting of lamps and bursting of firecrackers. As the sun sets, homes are lit up with rows of diyas, candles and electric lights. The night sky is lit up with fireworks, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Diwali 2023 Date and Timings:
Knowing the exact date and time of Diwali is important to perform the rituals correctly. Diwali 2023 Date will be on Sunday, November 12. Main festivities including Lakshmi Puja will be in the evening. As per Hindu calendar, puja muhurat (most auspicious time for worship) will start after sunset and will continue for 2 hours.
- Date: November 12, 2023 (Sunday)
- Lakshmi Puja Muhurat: 06:09 PM to 08:04 PM
- Pradosh Kaal: 05:33 PM to 08:10 PM
- Vrishabha Kaal: 06:09 PM to 08:04 PM
Timings are as per New Delhi, India. Muhurat may vary slightly as per your location. Check with your local priest or a Hindu calendar for exact timings.
The Five Days of Diwali:
Diwali is not just a one day festival. It’s a five day celebration, each day having its own significance.
- Dhanteras (November 10, 2023): The first day of Diwali, Dhanteras is all about wealth and prosperity. People buy gold, silver and new utensils on this day. It’s believed that buying these on Dhanteras brings good luck and prosperity.
- Narak Chaturdashi (November 11, 2023): Also known as Choti Diwali, this day is to commemorate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. People wake up early, apply aromatic oils and take a bath. Evening is marked by lighting diyas and bursting firecrackers.
- Diwali (November 12, 2023): The third day is the main day of Diwali. It’s marked by Lakshmi Puja in the evening. Homes are lit up with diyas and families come together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness.
- Govardhan Puja (November 13, 2023): The fourth day is to worship Lord Krishna and the Govardhan Hill which he lifted to protect his devotees from the wrath of Indra, the god of rain. In some regions this day is also celebrated as Annakut where a variety of food is prepared and offered to the deities.
- Bhai Dooj (November 14, 2023): The fifth and final day of Diwali is Bhai Dooj, a day to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. Sisters perform aarti for their brothers and pray for their well-being, while brothers gift their sisters.
Diwali 2023: Time to Unite
Diwali is a time to be with family and friends. The festival brings people together as they share in the joy and happiness of Diwali. It’s a time to let go of past and start anew. The festival encourages to spread love, joy and positivity.
- Family Get Together: Diwali is a time for family reunions. People travel from different parts of the world to be with their loved ones. The celebrations are marked by family get together where everyone comes together to perform rituals, share meals and exchange gifts.
- Gifting: Diwali is also known for the tradition of gifting. These gifts are a symbol of love and appreciation. Common gifts include sweets, dry fruits, clothes and home decor items. Corporate gifting is also a common practice during Diwali.
- Giving Back: Diwali is not just about celebrating with family and friends; it’s also a time to give back to the society. Many people do charity during Diwali by donating clothes, food and money to the needy. This act of giving adds to the spirit of Diwali and makes it a festival that spreads happiness beyond home.
Celebrate Diwali 2023 Date in an Eco Friendly Way:
In recent years we have all become aware of the environmental impact of Diwali, especially the pollution caused by firecrackers. So many of us are opting for eco friendly ways to celebrate the festival.
- Eco Friendly Decorations: Instead of using plastic decorations, go for natural and biodegradable materials like clay diyas, flowers and organic rangoli colors. They add beauty to your home and reduce the environmental impact.
- Green Firecrackers: If you can’t imagine Diwali without firecrackers, go for green firecrackers. They produce less noise and air pollution compared to traditional firecrackers.
- Reduce Waste: Be mindful of the waste generated during Diwali. Avoid using single use plastic items and try to reduce, reuse and recycle wherever possible.
- Save Energy: While lighting up your home, go for energy efficient LED lights instead of traditional bulbs. They consume less power and last longer, making them a sustainable option for Diwali decorations.
Diwali 2023 Date Around the World:
Diwali is not just celebrated in India but across the world. In countries like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji Diwali is a public holiday. The Indian diaspora in countries like USA, Canada, UK and Australia also celebrate Diwali with great zeal.
- USA: In USA Diwali is celebrated by the Indian community with great enthusiasm. Major cities like New York, Chicago and San Francisco host big Diwali events, cultural performances, music and dance.
- UK: In UK Diwali is celebrated big time, especially in cities like London and Leicester. Diwali celebrations in Leicester are among the largest outside India, thousands of people gather to enjoy the festivities.
- Australia: In Australia Diwali is celebrated by the Indian community with events in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The celebrations include fireworks, cultural performances and feasts.
- Canada: In Canada Diwali is celebrated with equal enthusiasm. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver host Diwali events that include music, dance and food, people from all communities attend.
Diwali 2023 FAQs:
When is Diwali 2023 Date?
Diwali 2023 is on Sunday, November 12.
What is Diwali?
Diwali means light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists for different reasons.
How to celebrate Diwali eco friendly?
You can celebrate Diwali eco friendly by using natural decorations, green firecrackers, reduce waste and save energy with LED lights.
