Deepawali (Diwali), the auspicious Indian festival symbolizing the spiritual “victory of light over darkness”, “good over evil”, and “knowledge over ignorance” is round the corner and every Indian households is getting ready to decorate home with Diwali lights. One year has passed since Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India celebrated Diwali with Indian soldiers and we are in 2023 with another Diwali.
What is Diwali and what are its traditions?
Diwali which falls on 12th November 2023 is a traditional Hindu festival with people decorating their homes with a row of lights – diyas, lamps, and candles included. For many the lights and lamps please Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
How lights are important for Diwali?
As per Hindu mythology, one must light 13 diyas in the house and pray to Goddess Lakshmi. The belief is that diyas guards the house against bad spirits and negative energies.
Why should I light 13 diyas on Diwali?
Lighting diyas on Diwali is a custom which has been followed by the public since ages. Lights, colours and decorations that form part of Diwali bring joy and celebrations to households.
As per Hindu mythology one needs to light 13 diyas in their house and pray for prosperity.On the occasion of Dhanteras you need to lit 13 used clay diyas, all facing south near the trash outside house to ward off death. The family is protected by untimely death by the first diya.
The second diya has to be lit with ghee and placed in front of your pooja room on the night of Diwali to bring luck.Light the third diya in front of Lakshmi to enlist the Goddess blessings for wealth, peace, prosperity and success.The fourth diya has to be lit in front of the holy basil (tulsi) plant and the family would be happy and peaceful as a result.
Place the fifth diya in front of your front door to ward off evil spirits and bring joy and love to your family. The sixth diya must be lit with mustard oil and place beneath a peepal tree to stay clear of financial and health problems.
Light the seventh diya inside a temple close to your home. Ask the temple priest to do it for you. Eighth diya has to be lit near the trash in your home to ward off negative energy and evil spirits.Ninth diya has to be lit outside the washroom to bring positive energy and prosperity in your life.
Light the tenth diya above on your rooftop to protect yourself from negative energy.The eleventh diya needs to be lit and kept on any window to resist bad energy.Placing the twelfth diya on the top floor of your home will be beneficial for health.The thirteenth diya is lit to decorate your home’s crossroads and bring good vibes into your life.
Can I light diya in South direction for this Diwali in 2023?
No you should not light diyas in the south direction on Diwali day because as per belief Yama, the God of Death comes down on earth on this day to determine the time of death of a person. Lighting a diya in the south direction means we are inviting the God of Death to our home.
What are the important dates and days for Diwali 2023?
| Day and Date | Puja Muhurat | Tithi | Festival |
| Friday, 10 November 2023 | 5.27 – 7.27 p.m. | Trayodashi | Dhanteras |
| Friday, 10 November 2023 | 5.09 – 6.26 p.m. | Trayodashi | Yama Deepam |
| Saturday, 11 November 2023 | 11.05 – 11.56 p.m. | Chaturdashi | Smaller Diwali |
| Sunday, 12 November 2023 | 5.19 – 7.19 p.m. | Amavasya | Lakshmi Puja |
| Tuesday, 14 November 2023 | 5.54 – 809 a.m. | Pratipada | Govardhan Puja |
| Wednesday, 15 November 2023 | 12.38 – 2.53 p.m. | Dwitiya | Bhai Duj |
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Diwali in 2023?
Diwali is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar and lighting lamps on this day will bring peace and prosperity in your life. Lakshmi Goddess needs to be worshipped on this day.
2. How to celebrate Diwali in 2023?
Follow all rituals and traditions, cleaning your house and light diyas to bring prosperity and peace. You can decorate your home with Diwali lights in 2023 with diyas, lamps, candles, and LED lights. Exchange gifts with your friends, well-wishers and business acquaintances, wear new clothes, children can burst firecrackers, donate new clothes as charity, and help the needy with money to enable them celebrate Diwali. You may also prepare some sweet dishes or alternatively buy from the market.
3. Why Diwali lights are beneficial?
By lighting lamp in the evening you invite Goddess Lakshmi into your home. Lighting lamps increase spirituality and invokes the Goddess Lakshmi’s destroyer principle and cleanse all negative energies from your house.
4. Should I light candles or oil lamps this Diwali 2023?
Lighting earthen lamp increases the Sattvic nature of the soil with the air and it is more sustainable. Candles are made of wax and induce carnal thoughts. Candles increase the distressing negative energies from the atmosphere whereas earthen lamps are positive.
5. What lights are best for Diwali?
Earthen oil lamps are traditional and best option to make your festival look good. LED lights can also be used.
6. Why is Diwali called light?
It is on this day lamps are lit and homes are decorated, hence Diwali is the festival of lights.
7. How old is Diwali festival?
Diwali is a traditional Indian festival and has been celebrated since thousands of years.