How to Properly Celebrate Diwali, Aka the Festival of Lights
Between the general fall mood (pumpkin spice everything, stunning foliage, chic coats, etc.,), and some of the best seasonal holidays (hi, Halloween) Diwali also stands out as yet another major highlight come autumn. Believe it or not, since Diwali follows the lunar calendar, the Festival of Lights is coming up sooner than you think—October 24, 2022, to be exact (that date also happens to be a new moon). Now that you know the date, here are the deets on how to celebrate Diwali this year.
The fall holiday, which is widely observed by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains all over the world, spans over five days and signifies the beginning of the new year (one of the reasons why it's celebrated on the new moon, which is also the darkest night of the month). Diwali is all about good vibes: welcoming new beginnings, attracting positivity and gratitude, and allowing light to overcome darkness. In Hindu tradition, you gather with loved ones to worship the goddess Lakshmi, who happens to be the goddess of wealth, good fortune, and prosperity, and Ganesha, the god of new beginnings, both of whom you wanna have in your corner during Diwali. The goal is to have as many lights on as possible and lanterns and candles lit to guide Lakshmi and Ganesha's path and invite them into your home. The Diwali festivities technically kick off on October 22, and last for five straight days, with the big Diwali festival (aka Lakshmi Puja, to honor the goddess Lakshmi in her various forms) on the 24th.
To make sure this year’s celebration is extra fun, we chatted with Neeta Bhasin, the curator/founder behind the annual Diwali at Times Square event, for insight. Keep reading for everything you need to know about this truly joyful holiday, plus some tips on how you can make your Diwali celebrations feel extra iconique this year.
Here's everything you need to know about how to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, and all the different ways to observe the Indian holiday.
