Diwali Rituals + Traditions—a mini-guide to help understand what makes Diwali a week-long celebration
Diwali Rituals + Traditions—a mini-guide to help understand what makes Diwali a week-long celebration
It starts with deep cleaning + then it's all about inviting the Divine in.
It starts with deep cleaning.
It’s that time of year again— a week before Diwali festivities begin. Traditionally, it’s when we start to put aside time to do a little decluttering and deep cleaning before ushering in the Indian new year (based on the vedic lunar calendar). The reason behind this is to help move out stagnate energy so that new energy and abundance (Ganesh/ Lakshmi/ Kali/ Sarawati) can enter the home— especially through Diwali rituals, pujas (ceremonies) and family gatherings that begin the following week.
The Vedas highlight how sattvic (purity) of an environment can change the energetics of everything— including your home. Which makes a clean house “auspicious and ready to receive blessings”— so, the saying”cleanliness is next to godliness” is pretty applicable here :).
And, then it’s all about inviting the Divine in.
As I’ve shared in the past, the days leading up to Diwali are filled with all sorts of rituals, traditions and gatherings aimed to bring family together with renewed hope and joy for a good next year. A time filled with lots of cooking, gathering and inviting the Divine in.
One of my favorite rituals is that of washing and decorating your front door step1 as a way to invite the energy of God into your home; to bless your family, home and intentions for the new year. It’s super simple, but powerful. And, the more years I do it, the more it means to me.
Diwali Rituals + Traditions
This year I thought I’d share about what makes Diwali a week-long celebration — because it’s really a beautiful time aimed to invite the divine to continue to reside in our homes…and most importantly, our hearts.
★ Dates vary each year because they are based on the lunar calendar. So, in this little mini-guide, I’ve included the specific dates for this year + the actual lunar date.
A Mini-Guide to help understand what makes Diwali a week-long celebration
🚪👣WASHING + DECORATING OF THE DOOR STEP BEGINS
Sun, October 27 (lunar calendar date: Ashwin Mas, Krishna Paksh, Ekadasi Tithau)
Each morning the doorstep is washed and decorated, followed by the lighting of two oil/ ghee lamps that are put on each side of the door. And then a few prayers are said to invite the Divine Mother in. These two ghee/oil lamps are lit again each evening at dusk.
*This is done through Sat, Nov 1
🪷 DHANTERAS — The Day of Lakshmi Puja
Tues, October 29 (lunar calendar date: Ashwin Mas, Krishna Paksh, Trayodashi Tithau)
The evening of Dhanteras is when Lakshmi puja is performed to invite the goddess of wealth and prosperity into your home. It's a way to seek blessings, not only for financial abundance and good fortune in the coming year, but spiritually as well. Plus, it's a beautiful ritual that brings families together to celebrate and express gratitude.
🕉️ KALI CHAUDAS - The Night of Kali
Wed, October 30 (lunar calendar date: Ashwin Mas, Krishna Paksh, Chaturdashi Tithau)
Kali Chaudas, also known as the night of Kali, and is significant part of Diwali festivities. It’s a night believed to be a time when the goddess Kali's power is at its peak, symbolizing the destruction of evil and negative energies. Generally families and communities gather to chant, pray and seek blessings to help overcome darkness and dissolving of our egos, so that we can grow and cultivate spiritual abundance rooted in love, compassion, kindness, forgiveness and peace.
🪔 DIWALI - New Year’s Eve
Thur, October 31 (lunar calendar date: Ashwin Mas, Krishna Paksh, Amas Tithau)
Diwali, often referred to as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant and joyful celebrations in Indian culture. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, commemorating the return of Lord Rama from exile. Diwali is comparable to New Year's Eve in Western cultures, marking a time of new beginnings, family gatherings, and spiritual renewal.
🛕 BESTU VARSH - New Year’s Day
Fri, November 1 (lunar calendar date: Kartik Mas, Shukla Paksh, Pratipat Tithau)
Bestu Varsh marks the beginning of the new year in the Vedic calendar. This day is celebrated with much enthusiasm, hope and love— marked with visits to temples and visits/ greetings with loved ones— to start fresh with renewed energy and blessings from God, spiritual teachers and elders in the family.
❤️ BHAI BEEJ - A celebration of siblings
Sat, November 2 (lunar calendar date: Kartik Mas, Shukla Paksh, Dwitiya Tithau)
Bhai Beej is a sweet celebration that wraps up the Diwali festivities. It's all about nurturing the special bond between brothers and sisters. On this day, sisters perform a little ceremony for their brothers, praying for their long and happy lives, while brothers promise to always protect and support their sisters. It's a family day filled with love, food, and fun.
Wrapping it all up
In essence, Diwali is about the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It’s a reminder to set bright intentions for the New Year — not just for external prosperity but for inner prosperity as well because spiritual wealth is priceless. Its also a time for reflection to help us cultivate a deeper happiness and peace that comes from us strengthening our compassion and kindness and ability to forgive and surrender—keys that in turn unlock the abundant wisdom that resides in our hearts. And last but not least, it’s also a time for joy-filled family + community gatherings rooted in love and gratitude for those around us— and, everyone that helps us grow. A week truly marked by lighting bright and illuminating lights — inside and out!
Hope this was a helpful and provides a little inspiration to your own Diwali celebrations. If you’re interested but far from family + community, Anandi Ma is hosting a few Diwali in-person events that will also be webcast. Next Tuesday night she’ll lead us through performing our own Lakshmi Puja and on Wednesday evening she’ll be hosting an evening of chanting on Kali Chaudas — both will beautiful events. If you’re interested, you learn more about them here.
Happy cleaning and getting ready for Diwali!
Kajal
