What is Diwali?
Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights, held in the period October to November. It is particularly associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. In northern India, they celebrate the story of King Rama's return to Ayodhya after he defeated Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps. Southern India celebrates it as the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. There are also several savory dishes eaten. Diwali cuisine is mainly a vegetarian course. Some savory dishes include Dahi-Bhalle, Karanji, Samosas, Pakoray, Mathiyaa, Ghathiya, and Aloo Tikki. Some sweets eaten include Kheer, Gulab Jamun, and Shankarpale. Technically, you can eat meat on Diwali, as there is no codified restriction on meat-eating for such a festival. However, the common practice is to eat vegetarian food for Diwali. Meat is a tamasic food, and as such, it is believed not to encourage positive feelings and a spiritual mind. While many traditional Diwali snacks are very well accompanied by cold beer and many restaurants offer alcoholic drinks with their Diwali menus, alcohol is not normally drunk during the festival. In 2019, Diwali is on October 27. It is observed a day earlier in South India, on October 26.
Hindu fast
Durga Puja or Durgotsava is a five-day celebration that begins on October 4, Friday, and will continue till October 8, Tuesday. During this time you don’t eat meat or any garlic or onions. Durga Puja celebrations run parallel with Navratri, a Hindu festival where nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. For Durga Puja celebrations, huge pandals with idols of Goddess Durga are set-up and devotees come in large numbers to offer prayers to the goddess. During the Durga Puja festive season, devotees wear new clothes, indulge in sweet and traditional food and enjoy cultural programs. Durga Puja is a major festival of Bengal but is celebrated across India and the world.
Durga Puja Day 1: Shahshti on October 4
Durga Puja Day 2: Maha Saptami on October 5
Durga Puja Day 3: Maha Ashtami on October 6
Durga Puja Day 4: Maha Navami on October 7
Durga Puja Day 5: Vijayadashmi on October 8
It is believed that during Durga Puja, Goddess Durga, accompanied by her four children - Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Saraswati - descends on earth every year to visit her parents and to fight evil. Goddess Durga who killed demon Mahishasur comes sitting on a lion mount and wields an array of weapons in her 10 abilities in symbolic representation of Shakti, or woman power.
Durga Puja Day 1: Shahshti on October 4
Durga Puja Day 2: Maha Saptami on October 5
Durga Puja Day 3: Maha Ashtami on October 6
Durga Puja Day 4: Maha Navami on October 7
Durga Puja Day 5: Vijayadashmi on October 8
It is believed that during Durga Puja, Goddess Durga, accompanied by her four children - Ganesh, Kartik, Lakshmi, and Saraswati - descends on earth every year to visit her parents and to fight evil. Goddess Durga who killed demon Mahishasur comes sitting on a lion mount and wields an array of weapons in her 10 abilities in symbolic representation of Shakti, or woman power.