It’s time for vibrant colours, eye-popping fireworks, twinkling lights and delicious food! Ready? Then check out our ten facts about Diwali…

When is Diwali 2024?

The exact dates change each year. This year, Diwali is being celebrated on either Thursday 31 October or Friday 1 November, depending on where people are in the world.

Facts about Diwali

1) Diwali is an important religious festival originating in India. People often think of Diwali as a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Sikhs and Jains.*

2) Diwali takes place annually and lasts for five days, marking the start of the Hindu New Year. The exact dates change each year and are determined by the position of the moon – but it usually falls between October and November.

Facts about Diwali - food

3) The word Diwali (or Deepavali as it’s sometimes called) means “row of lights” in an Ancient language of India, called Sanskrit. During this festival, people decorate their homes with lights and oil lamps, called diyas.

4) For many people, Diwali honours the Hindu goddess of wealth, Lakshmi. The lights and lamps are said to help Lakshmi find her way into peoples’ homes, bringing prosperity in the year to come!

Facts about Diwali - diyas

5) It’s also a celebration of good triumphing over evil, and different legends based on this theme are associated with Diwali. In northern India, Hindus celebrate the return of the deities (gods) Rama and Sita to the city of Ayodhya, after defeating the evil king Ravana!

6) In the region of Bengal people worship the goddess Kali, the destroyer of evil forces, during Diwali. And in Nepal (a country bordering north-east India), people celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the wicked king Narakaasura.

Facts about Diwali - rangoli

7) But it’s not just about lights and legends –– Diwali is a time to have fun with friends and family! People exchange gifts and sweets, enjoy delicious feasts, watch firework displays and wear new clothes. It’s a time to clean and decorate your home, too.

8) Rangoli is a popular Diwali tradition –– beautiful patterns made using colourful powders and flowers. People draw rangoli on the floor by the entrance of their homes to welcome the gods and bring good luck!

Facts about Diwali - Leicester

9) Today, this fascinating festival is celebrated by thousands of people in countries all around the world. During Diwali, Hindus living outside India gather at places of worship called mandirs to leave offerings to deities, watch firework displays and eat yummy food together!

10) The city of Leicester, in the United Kingdom, holds the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India. Every year, tens of thousands of people gather in the streets to enjoy vibrant shows of light, music and dancing!

*Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism are three religions founded in India.

What did you think about our facts about Diwali? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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COMMENTS

  • moonlight

    so intresting and as always helpful

  • maggie

    I am not Indian but I do it with my friends

  • it is good

  • Very interesting and a lot of knowledge. Thanks so much for the education of other cultures.

  • Elli

    So cool!!!

  • Aarohi and Yachana

    Very nice and actually helpful

  • Wow this is totally interesting

  • sean qian

    this is a very good fact teller I was doing a Diwali poster and found it very useful. thanks

  • sajad

    i love it

  • Shresta

    Amazing facts perfect for a informative essay and very lovely

  • zedd

    Very interesing!

  • ranjaync

    I am southern indian.

  • Shelly

    Everyone should celebrate this in all cultures way to bring us all together as a nation

  • Leonard

    WOW!

  • TeSSI

    Very intresting facts about this celebration

  • Lasha

    it is sooooooo cool

  • notorious

    this was very helpful thank you for this info

  • Zedd

    This is an awesome facts about Diwali!

  • Debiscool9

    I was researching and this is so helpful. Also I think natgeo kids itself is in it's own league

  • Abhi

    A lot of information. I’m a Hindu.

  • kaylee

    I loved learning about Diwali!

  • jeewelyette

    so cool! I love new cultures!

  • Ada

    So cool!

  • Kiveli

    Didn’t know that stuff. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Yashika

    So incredibly interesting

  • V

    Amazingvi found it helpful because i had a project and i really needed this info thsnk so much!

  • Aarya

    Best information

  • Rudra

    I celebrate the northern way of Diwali! I can’t wait for Diwali!

  • isaac

    i love the facts about the festavil!

  • Nana

    I live in India

  • ALASKA

    THIS IS GREAT

  • nathalie

    Thanks for sharing !

  • Ali

    COOL

  • em

    WOW THIS REALLY HELPED FOR MY SCHOOL PROJECT!!

  • ooooh

    hey

  • The oak

    Really good facts! As I am a Hindu myself I agree with the facts you told, and all of those facts were amazing!

  • Fitting Occasions for Kids to Wear Autumn Party Dresses

    […] and the triumph of good over evil. Additionally, the festival is also known as a time for “vibrant colours, eye-popping fireworks and twinkling lights”, so don’t feel shy when it comes to your outfit as this is a celebration full of […]

  • amy

    COOL

  • amy

    legit coolness

  • sarah

    this things awesome it’s cool and really good

  • sarah

    awesome

  • sarah

    wow

  • Wow very interesting

  • Cool

  • LSLF08

    I love this festival so much.

  • hanahn

    great

  • jake

    its good and informative

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