How Diwali Grew From a Harvest Festival to a Global Celebration

Roots in the Harvest

The earliest forms of Diwali were likely autumnal harvest festivals in the Indian subcontinent. The new moon night in the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November) marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new financial year for merchants. Farmers lit lamps to celebrate abundance and to guide Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, into their homes. Archaeological evidence suggests that lamp-lighting rituals during this period date back at least two thousand years. The word "Diwali" derives from the Sanskrit "Dipavali," meaning "row of lights."

Multiple Religious Narratives

Hinduism: The Return of Rama

The most widely known Diwali story comes from the Ramayana. When Lord Rama, along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshmana, returned to the kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and the defeat of the demon king Ravana, the citizens lit rows of clay lamps to guide them home and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. In southern India, Diwali celebrates Lord Krishna's defeat of the demon Narakasura. In Bengal, the goddess Kali is worshipped on this night. Each region layers its own mythology onto the festival.

Jainism: Mahavira's Liberation

For Jains, Diwali marks the day Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara, achieved moksha (liberation from the cycle of birth and death) in 527 BCE. Jain communities celebrate with prayer, fasting, and the lighting of lamps to symbolise the light of knowledge.

Sikhism: Bandi Chhor Divas

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating the release of Guru Hargobind from imprisonment by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. The Guru refused to leave prison unless 52 Hindu princes imprisoned with him were also freed. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated spectacularly on this night.

The Five Days of Diwali

Modern Diwali spans five days, each with its own significance. Dhanteras, the first day, is devoted to wealth and the purchase of gold and utensils. Naraka Chaturdashi involves ritual bathing at dawn. The main Diwali night features the lighting of diyas (oil lamps), rangoli designs at doorways, prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, and fireworks. Govardhan Puja honours the bond between husband and wife. Bhai Dooj celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.

From Village Lamps to City Spectacles

The Mughal period saw Diwali become increasingly elaborate. Emperor Akbar participated in Diwali celebrations, and the Mughal court's aesthetic influence introduced greater decorative arts into the festival. The British colonial period documented Diwali in administrative records, and Indian soldiers and labourers carried the tradition to East Africa, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Fiji.

Diwali in the 21st Century

Today, Diwali is celebrated in over 20 countries. London's Trafalgar Square hosts Europe's largest Diwali celebration, drawing over 35,000 people. New York City made Diwali a public school holiday in 2023. The White House has hosted Diwali events since 2003. In Singapore and Malaysia, the festival is a national holiday. Environmental concerns have prompted shifts in how Diwali is celebrated. Many cities have restricted firecrackers due to air pollution, and there is a growing movement to return to traditional clay diyas and eco-friendly decorations. The festival's essence, however, remains unchanged: light dispelling darkness, knowledge overcoming ignorance, and communities gathering in celebration.