Diwali 2024: How to Celebrate and What to Do
Celebrate Diwali 2024 by lighting diyas, performing Lakshmi Puja, sharing sweets, and visiting sacred temples like the Golden Temple, Kashi Vishwanath, and Tirupati.
Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali 2024 will bring communities together in grand celebrations across the country. Here’s how you can celebrate and which temples you should visit for a spiritual and enriching experience.
How to Celebrate Diwali 2024:
Clean and Decorate Your Home: Diwali traditionally starts with cleaning and decorating homes to welcome prosperity. Use rangolis, diyas (earthen lamps), and fairy lights to brighten your surroundings.
Puja (Prayer): Performing Lakshmi Puja is an essential part of Diwali celebrations. Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, is worshipped along with Lord Ganesha for good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
Exchange Gifts and Sweets: Diwali is all about spreading joy. Exchanging gifts, sweets, and snacks like laddus, barfis, and chaklis with family and friends fosters goodwill.
Bursting Firecrackers (Eco-Friendly): While bursting firecrackers has been a long-standing tradition, consider using eco-friendly or noiseless crackers to reduce environmental impact. Many people now opt for celebrating with diya lighting and fireworks sparklers.
Share Charity and Goodwill: Diwali is also a time for giving. Sharing food, clothes, or donating to those in need adds to the spiritual essence of the festival.
Prepare a Festive Feast: Cook traditional Diwali dishes like sweets (mithai), samosas, puris, and lentils. Enjoy the family gathering over a grand meal.
Light Diyas: As the sun sets, place lit diyas all around your home and neighborhoods, signifying the light of goodness and positive energy.
Temples to Visit for Diwali 2024:
Golden Temple, Amritsar: The Golden Temple shines brightly with thousands of diyas during Diwali. The temple's reflection in the water under the fireworks display is a sight to behold.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi: Varanasi is famous for its grand Diwali celebrations, including the Ganga Aarti and temples lit with diyas. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple and take a boat ride on the Ganges for a divine experience.
Shri Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan: Vrindavan is renowned for its vibrant Diwali celebrations, especially at the Banke Bihari Temple. The temple is decorated with lights and flowers, and the festive mood is infectious.
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai: For a southern flavor of Diwali, visit Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. The temple is adorned with beautiful lights and intricate rangoli designs.
Somnath Temple, Gujarat: The Somnath Temple, located on the western coast of India, is an iconic place to witness the blending of spirituality with celebrations. The temple lights up magnificently during Diwali.
Tirupati Balaji, Andhra Pradesh: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam is one of the richest and most visited temples in India. During Diwali, the temple and surrounding areas are illuminated with diyas, and special prayers are offered.
Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh: Diwali in Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is extremely significant. Thousands of diyas are lit to celebrate Lord Rama's return from exile. The Ram ki Paidi ghat lights up with grand celebrations.
Key Rituals During Diwali:
Dhanteras: The first day of Diwali, dedicated to wealth and prosperity. It is considered auspicious to buy new items like gold, silver, and utensils on this day.
Narak Chaturdashi: The second day, also known as Choti Diwali, is celebrated to mark the defeat of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.
Lakshmi Puja: The main day of Diwali is for worshipping Goddess Lakshmi, seeking her blessings for wealth and prosperity.
Govardhan Puja: This day marks Lord Krishna’s victory over Indra, and families prepare a grand feast to celebrate.
Bhai Dooj: The last day is dedicated to the bond between brothers and sisters.
Tips for a Memorable Diwali 2024:
Try eco-friendly celebrations by using natural decorations and biodegradable diyas.
If visiting temples, plan your trips in advance to avoid crowds, especially to popular sites like Varanasi and Amritsar.
Explore Diwali markets for festive shopping. Major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Mumbai have bustling markets filled with decor, gifts, and traditional wear.
End your Diwali night by enjoying the fireworks from your rooftop or riverside while reflecting on the spiritual essence of the festival.
May this Diwali bring light, prosperity, and peace to your life!