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This November, millions of people around the world will celebrate light over darkness amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is the largest festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists around the world.
Its date changes every year and commemorates different things according to local tradition and culture.
This year’s celebrations are likely to fade as the coronavirus pandemic escalates around the world.
When is Diwali?
- According to the official holiday calendar of India, Diwali in 2020 will be on Saturday, November 14, coinciding with the 15th of Kartik, the holiest month in the Hindu lunar calendar.
- In Sri Lanka and Singapore, Diwali will also be celebrated on November 14, which is an official holiday in Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan’s Sindh province.
- On the Gregorian calendar, the Diwali festival always falls between mid-October and mid-November.
What does it commemorate?
- Hindus celebrate the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness, to mark the return of Ram, the lord of virtue, to his kingdom after 14 years of exile.
- Followers of Jainism commemorate Mahavira, a revered ascetic who fundamentally reformed the faith, reaching a state of nirvana after his death.
- Sikhs use Diwali to mark the anniversary of the release from Guru Hargobind prison in 1619.
- For Buddhists, this day represents the time when Emperor Ashoka gave up everything and took a path of peace after going through bloodshed and death. The day is observed as Ashok Vijayadashami.
How is it celebrated?
- Traditional clay diyas or candles are lit, and today fireworks are lit.
- The houses are cleaned and decorated with colorful rangoli artwork, patterns created on the floor with rice or colored powder.
- Across India and in Indian communities, people wear new clothes, visit friends and family, and exchange sweets and gifts. There is also a strong belief in giving to those in need.
- A special “puja” prayer is dedicated to goddess Lakshmi at night. It is said to bring good luck and prosperity.
A Hindu man lights a candle on the steps in front of Asyamee, a Hindu temple in Kabul [Ivan Flores/Al Jazeera]What will be DiwalI What does it look like during the pandemic?
- This year’s Diwali celebrations will be held under restrictive measures, including wearing masks and physical distancing, as the coronavirus pandemic progresses.
- On Saturday, many temples across India broadcast prayer sessions online to avoid large gatherings.
- In the capital New Delhi, one of the Indian cities hardest hit by COVID-19, concerned residents opted for low-key celebrations. Some even stayed home and did not visit friends or family. India has 8.7 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 129,000 deaths.
A devotee wearing a protective mask lights an oil lamp at a Hindu temple to mark the Diwali festival, amid the spread of the coronavirus, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on November 14, 2020 [Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters]
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