Diwali 2024: A Festival Celebrated in Different Ways Across India

Diwali, the festival of lights, is just around the corner. It is one of the most significant Hindu festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm across India. People decorate their homes with lights, prepare sweets, and come together to celebrate. However, the meaning and traditions of Diwali vary in different parts of the country.

Diwali in North India: Ram Leela and the Return of Lord Ram

In many parts of North India, Diwali marks the return of Lord Ram, his wife Sita, and his brother Laxman to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. This event is celebrated through Ram Leela performances, especially in states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.
In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, the banks of the river Sarayu are beautifully illuminated with diyas. This year, on October 30, a day before Diwali, Ayodhya is expected to light up 55 ghats with over 2.5 million lamps, creating a mesmerizing scene.

Diwali in Gujarat: Bestu Varas and the Gujarati New Year

In Gujarat, one of the key events during Diwali is the celebration of the Gujarati New Year, known as Bestu Varas. This year, it will be observed on November 2. The new year begins on Shukla Paksha Pratipada in the month of Kartik. It is a time when businesses close their old account books and start new ones, known as Chopda, praying to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. Families gather, exchange sweets, and wish each other success for the coming year.

Diwali in Bengal: Kali Puja

While Goddess Lakshmi is worshiped in many parts of India during Diwali, in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, the focus is on Goddess Kali. Kali Puja is celebrated on the new moon day of Diwali, which falls on October 31 this year. People set up pandals, decorate their surroundings with rangoli, and worship Goddess Kali, who is considered a fiercer incarnation of Goddess Durga.

Bhai Dooj: Celebrating the Bond Between Brothers and Sisters

Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the special bond between brothers and sisters, will be observed on November 3, two days after Diwali. According to Hindu mythology, the festival traces back to the time when Yamraj, the god of death, visited his sister Yamuna, who welcomed him with a tilak.
Although widely celebrated in Maharashtra, Bhai Dooj is observed across India under different names: Bhai Phota in West Bengal, Yama Dwitiya in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, and Bhratri Dwitiya in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Diwali in the Southern States: Harikatha and Oil Bath Traditions

In Andhra Pradesh, Diwali includes the tradition of Harikatha, a form of musical storytelling about Lord Krishna. It is believed that his wife Satyabhama defeated the demon Narakasura, and people pray to clay idols of Satyabhama during the festival. In Karnataka, Diwali begins with an oil bath, which is linked to the belief that Krishna took an oil bath to cleanse himself after slaying Narakasura. Instead of rangolis, homes in the South create intricate kolam designs.

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Diwali is a festival that unites the country, yet its celebrations are rich and varied, reflecting the diversity of India’s cultural heritage. Whether it's Ram Leela in the North, Bestu Varas in Gujarat, or Kali Puja in Bengal, every region has its unique way of celebrating this beautiful festival of lights.