Diwali is a festival widely celebrated in India; a festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Diwali also is a time to seek and exchange blessings of prosperity, and a time to worship and honor Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity. Diwali is also a great time to build and forge our connections with our loved ones, through meaningful and memorable gifting.
When is Diwali in 2024?
In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on November 1.
The Diwali festivities will begin with Dhanteras on October 29th. Lakshmi Pooja and the main Diwali celebrations will be on November 1st, and the festivities will conclude on November 3rd, which is Bhaidooj, a celebration of the bond of siblings.
The 5-day festival of Diwali has multifaceted significance, honoring and welcoming prosperity, family ties, traditions, and finally, the victory of good over evil.
Dhanteras, celebrated on October 29th, is the day devoted to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Dhanvantari. People like to purchase gold, silver, or utensils on this day, to invoke blessings of wealth.
Lakshmi Pooja & Main Diwali (November 1, 2024)
This is the main day of the Diwali celebrations when we invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. People light up their homes with traditional diyas or candles. This day honors the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, and his return to his kingdom of Ayodhya.
Bhaidooj (November 3, 2024)
The conclusion of Diwali festivities is marked by Bhaidooj, a celebration of the beautiful bond between siblings. Sisters pray for the prosperity of their brothers, and brothers seal this bond with the promise of protection.
Diwali Traditions
Different rituals and traditions mark the celebration of Diwali. One such ritual that has stood the test of time for generations is the lighting up of homes with diyas and candles. Lighting up of homes on the evening of Diwali, or on its eve (also known as Choti Diwali) is symbolic of dispelling the darkness from our hearts and minds, inviting knowledge and blessings of good luck and fortune.
Another famous tradition is rangoli, which are intricate, colorful patterns made with rice, flowers, and colored powder. These are made by families at their doorsteps, or courtyards, to invite guests, or to honor deities.
Families and friends also exchange gifts and sweets, to celebrate bonds of love and to share joy amongst each other. Fireworks and crackers have also been a part of Diwali celebrations for many years.
Regional Variations
Diwali is widely celebrated across India, and the diversity in celebrations can be witnessed across the country.
- North India: Celebrates Lord Ram’s successful and glorious return to Ayodhya, through lights, fireworks, and prayers in honor of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha.
- South India: In South India, Diwali takes the form of Naraka Chaturdashi, honoring Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. Clay lamps are lit, and oil baths are common rituals at this time.
- West India: Chopda Pujan is a time to open new books in the western part of the country, especially Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- East India: A major festival called Kali Pooja is celebrated in reverence of the fierce goddess Kali.
Gifting Ideas for Diwali 2024
Why Gifting is Important During Diwali?
Gifting is deeply rooted in Diwali festivities, carrying cultural significance as well as symbolizing love, gratitude, and blessings of prosperity.
Exchanging gifts between friends, family, and neighbors is a great way to express and deepen the bonds and establish goodwill, love, and gestures of love and respect.
Diwali gifts are often symbols of prosperity and success, and people exchange gifts that can be retained in their sacred space or pooja ghar, thereby invoking blessings from deities. Through sweets, clothes, and different kinds of Diwali Gift Hampers, people express joy and exchange the spirit of festivity across different communities.
Diwali is also a time when companies and corporates gift their employees, clients, and vendors gifts in gratitude for their service and relationships, forging deeper bonds of longevity and goodwill.
Top Jewelry Gift Ideas from Zariin
Goddess Lakshmi Charan is a meaningful and very popular gifting option at Zariin. It is beautifully crafted on a rose quartz stone, and intricately detailed with auspicious symbols of Hindu mythology. This gift makes a great choice for personal or corporate gifting, as people can display it in their sacred spaces, and also during the Diwali prayers.
Miniature Ram Mandir, launched this year for Diwali 2024, is inspired by the auspicious and famous Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. The backdrop of rose quartz exudes calmness and tranquility. Again this gift makes a meaningful present during Diwali, which itself is a celebration of Lord Ram’s triumphant return to Ayodhya.
Lakshmi and Ganesh Coin Set in 999 Silver: This is a classic combination of Lakshmi and Ganesh silver coins, with the deities embossed with intricate details on 999 pure silver. The set comes luxuriously packaged, and the coins can be displayed in the sacred spaces during the Lakshmi pooja on Diwali evening.
Power Chakra Set for His and Her: Two bracelets, for his and her, made from the 7 gemstones for balancing chakras (Energy centers in our body) are an excellent and meaningful gift of wellness, health, and prosperity. Zariin’s Chakra balancing jewels have been known to become the brand’s bestsellers, loved by over 750,000 people across the globe.
The Giftbox collection: Collection of curated gift boxes, thoughtfully picked for jewels that are versatile, easy to style, and can be worn day to night. These make meaningful Diwali presents too.
Tips for Celebrating Diwali in 2024
- Plan your shopping in advance, so that you can avoid the last-minute rush and take advantage of offers. Shop for new clothes for yourself, and other festive essentials for your home like decoratives. Consider eco-friendly options like potted plants, earthy diyas, or reusable containers for sweets.
- Clean your home weeks in advance. This is a great time to declutter and remove and weed out things you don’t need. Consider donating things you don’t need but are still in good condition. Also remove old electric cables, wires, and other electronic waste you no longer need (old phones, remote control, etc), as they are said to block the energy in your spaces.
- Illuminate your home with biodegradable diyas, and stay away from pollution-causing fireworks and firecrackers.
- Meet your friends, while exchanging gifts. Diwali is a great time to catch up with old friends and relatives we haven't met in ages!
Conclusion
As we prepare for Diwali 2024, let’s revisit and rekindle the rich traditions that make this festival special and memorable- the illumination of our spaces with beautiful diyas, colorful rangolis, prayers for health, prosperity for our loved ones, and exchanging blessings and good wishes.
Diwali is a great time to take a break from our hectic lives and rejoice and feel gratitude for what we have achieved, and what we aspire to achieve. At the heart of Diwali, a festival known for receiving and giving gifts is the importance of meaningful and thoughtful gifting. Here it’s important to make sustainable choices in gifts, that reflect the spirit of this festival.
