Diwali in India in 2022

Diwali in 2022 is on the Wednesday, 14th of November (14/11/2022).

Narak Chaturdasi: Also known as Chhoti Diwali. It marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and his wife Satyabhama. It is celebrated on 14th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashwin. On this day, people wake up early to take bath before sunrise so that they can go to "Swarg" after their death. They apply ubtan and oil on their body before taking the bath.

Diwali: Celebrated on Amavasya of Hindu lunar month Kartik. People wear new clothes and worship godess Lakshmi on this day as according to mythology, she was first incarnated on this day.

Govardhan Puja: Also called Bali Pratipada or Padava. Celebrated on the 1st day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Kartik. It is believed that on this day, Lord Krishna saved the people of Gokul by lifting Govardhan hill. People make a small cow dung (hillock) symbolising "Govardhan" and worship it.

Bhai Dooj: This is the fifth and the last day of 5 days long Diwali Festival. Celebrated on the 2nd day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month Kartik. It is believed that on this day, Yamraj (god of death) visited his sister Yami after a long time and his sister Yami welcomed him with by applying tilak on his forehead out of great enthusiasm and prepared very tasty meals. So on this day, sisters apply "Tilak" on the foreheads of their brothers and pray for their brothers' long and happy lives and after that no one can harm their brothers as they will then be protected from Yamraj.

Diwali is considered as the most auspicious day as it marks the day Lord Rama returned home in Ayodhya after his 14-years long exile and vanquishing the demon king Ravana along with his wife Sita and his brother Laxman. People of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting clay lamps across the streets of Ayodhya. Some also believe that Vikramaditya (great Hindu king) was crowned on the Diwali day. Jains believe that Mahavir Tirthankar (the founder of modern Jainism) attained his nirvana on Diwali day.

Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over bad. It is also a common practice that people forget and forgive the wrongs done by others during Diwali.

On Diwali, people illuminate lights on their homes' doorways, walls and windows in the evening. They clean their homes, wear new clothes, draw "Rangoli", prepare delicious food, greet one another, perform pooja of Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) and play fireworks.

People perform Lakshmi pooja as it is believed that Lakshmi is in her most benevolent mood this day and also fulfils the wishes of her devotees. In West Bengal, the festival is dedicated to the worship of goddess Kali, the dark goddess of strength.

List of Holiday in India in 2022