When is Diwali 2024? What to know about Hindu festival of lights

Light up those lamps and bring out the sparkle, it’s time for Diwali.

Millions of Hindus and South Asians around the world are celebrating the Festival of Lights with parties, dinners, food and prayers starting Thursday.

“One of the most-celebrated Hindu festivals, Diwali, or Deepavali, commemorates the victory of good over evil during the course of five days,” the Hindu American Foundation says. “The word refers to rows of diyas — or clay lamps — which are put all around homes and places of worship.”

Here’s what you need to know about Diwali.

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Diwali the ‘Festival of Lights’

The word Diwali is derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, which means “row of lights,” that devotees light outside their homes during the festival to represent the light that guards against spiritual darkness and symbolize good over evil.

“The light from these lamps symbolizes the illumination within all of us, which can overcome ignorance, represented by darkness,” the Hindu American Foundation says.

The lights are also meant to honor and invite the goddess Lakshmi, who is associated with agriculture and abundance, to enter and bless their homes, temples, and other public spaces because Hindu belief holds that Lakshmi cannot enter a dark space, according to Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art.

The festival, that is spread over a period of five days, also marks the beginning of the new year in the Hindu calendar, and celebrates the year’s last rice-crop harvest, as per JSTOR.

For Sikhs, meanwhile, Diwali celebrates sixth Guru, who serves as a source of inspiration and a symbol for freedom. The guru was in prison and refused to leave prison without the other 52 political prisoners being released. The day of Diwali celebrates his release, along with the other political prisoners he fought for. While the reason behind the celebrations may be different, to commemorate the festival, Sikhs will also go to the Gurdwara to pray and meditate, light diyas and set off fireworks.

Initially a religious event, Diwali has evolved over the years into a festive occasion, much like Christmas and Hannukah, with people of all communities and religion joining in to celebrate.

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When is Diwali?

Diwali is celebrated during the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls between the middle of October and the middle of November. This year, Diwali falls on Oct. 31, according to the Hindu American Foundation’s holiday calendar.

The festival is celebrated over five days and dhanteras, the preparation period leading up to the peak of the Diwali on Oct. 31, began on Oct. 29.

How is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali celebrations begin by devotees deep cleaning their homes and surroundings to prepare for the goddess’ arrival, as per Smithsonian. The next day, they decorate using clay lamps, candles and other lights and draw colorful patterns of flowers, powder, rice or sand on the floor, an artistic practice called rangoli meant to bring good luck.

The main celebration takes place on the night of the third day, which marks the end of the Hindu calendar year. Devotees dress up in their finest outfits, make offerings to Lakshmi, light fireworks and sparklers, and enjoy a sweet feast.

Over the next two days the celebrations continue as people host gatherings and visit family and friends to celebrate the new year.

For Hindus, Diwali is also a time for dana (charitable giving) and seva (selfless service), according to the Hindu American Foundation.

Where can you celebrate Diwali in Michigan?

As globally, Hindu and South Asian American communities across Michigan are celebrating the Festival of Lights this week. Here’s a look at some local events to mark Diwali:

• Sri Lakshmi Puja, dinner and fireworks at Sri Balaji Temple of Great Lakes in West Bloomfield from 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
• Diwali Laxmi Pooja at the Bharatiya Temple of Lansing in Haslett from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
• Diwali 2024 at Northern Michigan University in Marquette from 6-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.
• Arya Samaj of Suburban Detroit’s Deepavali 2024 at the Troy Community Center in Troy from 2-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.
• Diwali Dhamaka at 29 Novi in Novi on Friday, Nov. 15, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Attendees must be 21 years old or above and $15 tickets are for sale online.

USA Today Trending News Reporter Saman Shafiq contributed.

Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@freepress.com.