Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most popular festivals in India. It is celebrated primarily by Hindus but has become a national festival over the centuries and is celebrated by non-Hindu communities as well, including Jainism, Sikhism, and Newar Buddhism. Diwali celebrates and symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival features vibrant decorations, the lighting of the lamps, and the sharing of feasts among family and friends.
Diwali has such an interesting history with beautiful rituals and traditions. You don’t have to be Hindu to appreciate and learn about the holiday, and you can even attend family-friendly Diwali events in Indy. In fact, Carmel hosted its first-ever Diwali celebration in 2024 in Midtown Plaza!
All About Diwali
Diwali is recognized as India’s biggest holiday and takes place over the course of five days. Celebrants illuminate their homes, temples, and workspaces with diyas (oil lamps), candles, and lanterns. Hindus have a ritual oil bath at dawn on each day of the festival. Fireworks light up the sky as floors are decorated with rangoli designs. The festival is an annual homecoming and bonding period for families and communities, marked with feasts shared amongst loved ones and parades and musical performances in parks.
Origin of Diwali
While the holiday is generally recognized as a celebration of good over evil, Diwali’s origin story differs across India depending on the region. In Southern India, the holiday signifies the day that Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura while Northern India relates it to the story of King Rama’s return after defeating Ravana by lighting rows of clay lamps. In Western India, the festival represents the day Lord Vishnu sent the demon King Bali to rule the nether world, while in Bengal and other parts of Eastern Indiana, Goddess Kali is worshipped.
Practices & Rituals of Diwali
The overall theme of Diwali is an ode to the triumph of good over evil. Those who celebrate Diwali partake in a number of practices and rituals with different symbolic meanings over the span of the holiday, such as the hanging of lamps, lanterns, and other bright lights strung on houses and along streets to signify victory by the gods.
5 Days of Diwali
Although Diwali happens annually, it falls on different days each year. Diwali always takes place on the darkest day of the lunar month, after the conclusion of the summer harvest, coinciding with the new moon. Kartik is the name of the Hindu month in which Diwali takes place. In Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.
Dhanteras: Day 1 honors the birth of Lord Dhanvantri (the medicine god). Followers typically clean their homes and purchase new items, like utensils and gold, to bring about good fortune.
Naraka Chaturdashi: Day 2 honors the day Lord Krishna and his wife descended on Earth to relieve the suffering of those tormented by Demon Narakasura. To celebrate, followers wake up early and apply aromatic oils to cleanse them of their sins. Rangoli patterns are designed on floors and clay lamps (diyas) are used to decorate homes.
Lakshmi Puja: Day 3 is the main day of the Diwali festival. It honors Goddess Lakshmi as well as the day Lord Rama finally returned home from exile. To celebrate, followers light up their homes with candles, lights, and fireworks. Families gather to exchange gifts and a big feast is often shared.
Govardhan Puja: Day 4 honors Lord Krishna who lifted the Govardhan Mountain to save the people from the wrath of Lord Indra. To celebrate, followers make a small replica of the mountain, often with cow dung, and decorate it with flowers before worshipping it. Friends and relatives visit with gifts and best wishes for the season.
Bhai Dooj: Day 5 is the final day of the Diwali festival and places a large emphasis on Bhai Dooj, which celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. To celebrate, brothers typically visit their sisters with gifts and are welcomed with a lavish meal.
Carmel Diwali Celebration & Other Events in Indy
*Dates will be updated for 2025 as we receive them
Carmel Diwali Celebration, Midtown Plaza Carmel, Oct 26
The City of Carmel is hosting its inaugural Diwali celebration on Saturday, October 26th from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in Midtown Plaza Carmel. The Diwali celebration will highlight the rich cultural heritage of the Indian community. The event will feature traditional music, vibrant decorations, dance performances, food vendors, cold spark fireworks, and family-friendly activities for all ages. The festivities at Midtown Plaza will be outdoors, free to attend, and open to all!
Storytime, Carmel Clay Public Library, Oct 25
The Carmel Clay Public Library is offering a storytime on Friday, October 25th from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Drop in at the Discovery Room with your 2 to 5-year-old for “Celebrate Diwali: Festival of Lights” complete with stories, songs, activities, and a craft. No tickets are required.
Diwali Gala, Sheraton at Keystone, Oct 18
The India Association of Indianapolis is hosting the 2024 Diwali Gala on Friday, October 18th from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. at the Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone. The event features Senjuti Das from Indian Idol, Trijoy Deb, and a live band. Purchase tickets here.
Diwali Dhamaka, Embassy Suites Noblesville, Nov 8
Diwali Dhamaka is sure to bring the Indian Community together to celebrate this year’s Diwali. Tickets are available for the Friday, November 8th event at 7:00 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Noblesville. The family event, featuring a live performance by Kanika Kapoor, includes dinner.
Diwali Celebration, Robert Goodman Jewelers, Oct 24
Robert Goodman Jewelers in Zionsville invites the public into its store on Wednesday, October 24th from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. to learn about Diwali, create crafts, and indulge in delicious Diwali snacks. Everyone is welcome!
Learn More About Diwali
Interested in learning more about Diwali? Head to your local bookstore or library to check out anything from Diwali picture books to cookbooks. There are some great videos to teach kids about the festival, like “Diwali | All About the Holidays,” by PBS Teachers. You can also read up on Holi, the Hindu Festival of Colors. There may be an upcoming color run you could participate in!
Are you on a cultural learning adventure? Check out this article on the December holidays of Chanukah, Winter Solstice, and Kwanzaa, and this one about Chinese New Year. It’s always a great idea to keep your mind (and your children’s) open and willing to learn about the world around you and the traditions of your neighbors and friends.
How does your family celebrate Diwali? Do you have anything else to share about the Festival of Lights? Share your comments and pictures with us below or tag us on social media using #PLAYindy. Follow Indy with Kids on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all of the best ideas and things to do with kids in Indy!
