On traditional track: A quick guide on Diwali traditions & customs

Table of Content

• All about Diwali Traditions
• Diwali Tradition: Gifting, Rituals Celebrations
• For your Diwali gift ideas in US

If you’re overseas, away from home, and somewhere in the US and Canada but Diwali is close to heart, then here’s a quick guide on popular Diwali Traditions, Customs, and Traditional Diwali Gifts

DID you know that Diwali has never been a one day celebration? Yes, the diwali gift ideas, lists of friends and family to shower gifts with is set in motion at least two months in advance, but the festival itself is a five day fare. Five days, each symbolic of a celebration and felicitation and it begins with Dhanteras. 

There is a spirit of optimism in the air around the festival of lights, a lively energy and a dash of hope. Call it a propitious alignment of stars, but there is something inherently divine and blessed around this time of the year. For ages now, diwali traditions have been followed with fervour and enthusiasm. Diwali traditions and customs have been practised and passed down from one generation to another, keeping the light alive. And as revivalists and restorers of our culture and heritage, it only becomes all the more important to bring to light the Diwali customs and traditions, especially for those settled abroad, to help them know about traditional diwali gifts, and share diwali gift ideas in USA/Canada.

All about Diwali Traditions

Now, in Diwali tradition, in the five-days of celebration, the first day is all about making an investment. In the run up to Diwali, Dhanteras is day one of the festivities, a day considered auspicious to buy gold/silver and steel utensils. According to Vedic scriptures, in Diwali traditions, the festival is mentioned as Padma Purana, and is celebrated after the harvest seasons as per the Hindu calendar. Day two of Diwali in Diwali traditions is Narak Chaturdasi, the 14th lunar day. On this day, 14 diyas are lit at home to ward off evil. Day three is Diwali, the festival of lights, the day when Lord Rama, Sita Mata, brother Lakshman and Hanuman returned to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana, and spending 14 years in exile (vanvas). Interestingly, one of the reasons for lighting so many diyas is because Diwali takes place on Amavasya, a moonless night. According to Diwali customs and traditions, 21 diyas are lit at home to celebrate Diwali. Govardhan puja marks day four, commemorating Lord Krishna who, in mythic tales, lifted Govardhan Hill to shelter the people in Vrindavan from heavy rain. Finally, day five culminates with Bhai Dooj.

Another interesting fact, rather what makes Diwali so universal in its appeal and a festival celebrated all over the world is that it’s not only about Lord Rama and Sita coming home. In the Sikh Diwali tradition, this day coincides with the historic moment when the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib ji was instrumental in securing the release of 52 kings imprisoned by Mughal ruler Jahangir, from Gwalior Fort. This act of Bandi Chhor - release of prisoners, is celebrated as Bandi Chhor Divas, when the Guru came home with the 52 kings. Lights and firecrackers welcomed them, on this day, that falls with Diwali!  

In the Jain Diwali tradition, the Diwali day commemorates the passing of their 24th Tirthankara Mahavira and his achievement of moksha (salvation). 

While Goddess Kali is worshipped as part of Diwali tradition in east India (West Bengal, Orissa and Assam), the tribals of Bastar in Chhattishgarh hold ceremonial marriage of the crops whom they worship as Goddess Laxmi and dress up their cows. Their Diwali tradition is called Diyari. Sindhi community too celebrates Diyari, but by cleansing gold/silver coins in kuccha milk and softly tapping the coins on their teeth, singing Lakshmi aayi, danat vaai. (when Lakshmi arrives, poverty departs). 

Diwali Tradition: Gifting, Rituals Celebrations

All over the world, be it US, UK, Canada, it’s a long running Diwali tradition to cleanse the homes, to indulge in deep cleaning, de-cluttering, decorating the home with Diwali inspired decor and engaging in charity and gifting. 

Clay diyas are bought a week before - remember to soak these in water and dry them properly in the sun. These diyas are then filled with mustard oil (pure desi ghee if you’re feeling rich!), cotton battis (lights) are rolled, dipped in the same oil and lit at night. In Sanskrit, Deepavali literally translates to ‘rows of lamps’, and hence the rows of diyas, lined up and lighting up the moonless night. The diyas and the strings fairy lights are also lit to welcome Goddess Laxmi into our homes. Bright door hangings, torans, and laxmi feet along with rangoli welcomes the deities to bless the home and family with health, wealth and prosperity.

Evening is the time when families and friends gather for Laxmi pooja. In the Sikh Diwali tradition, candles are lit in Gurudwaras.   

The week before Diwali is also punctuated with loads of fun. There is shopping for new clothes and accessories, food items are listed and prepared, lists of traditional diwali gifts and diwali gift ideas in US, for newly-weds, for newborn babies, for all first Diwalis are prepared, new things are bought and blessed, and evenings are reserved for parties and rounds of taash (cards).  

So, according to Diwali customs and traditions, legend has it that Parvati and Lord Shiva indulged in a game of dice and enjoyed it so much that Parvati decided that everyone will play on Diwali to invite good luck and fortune. And so, with this divine sanction and prayers to Ma Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, we gamble a bit for Lady Luck, and play the game of gods! So, don’t forget to enjoy this diwali tradition!

For your diwali gift ideas in US, traditional Diwali gift items which can be given on Diwali, here’s a quick lowdown:

• Decorative Items: Handcrafted vases, decorative trays, elegant table runners, torans, firecracker bunch, never go out of fashion and make for excellent traditional diwali gift.

• Personalized Gifts: One can always, especially for first Diwalis and diwali gifts in US, invest in customized collections like engraved potli bags, bespoke glassware, timepieces, laddoo/mithai boxes with artisanal sweets/chocolates, engraved jewellery pieces in handmade boxes. Make it more personal with hampers filled with handpicked goodies. Make your own Diwali tradition with it! 

• Handmade Crafts: The appeal of artisanal gifts like hand-painted coasters, ceramic diyas and bespoke candle holders never dims. So as a Diwali tradition, pick these and pack them in trays/baskets with other goodies.

Conclusion

This Diwali, as you step into new homes and new lives, don’t forget to take time out and celebrate the Diwali with Diwali traditions, to know about the Diwali customs and traditions that connect us as a community and acts like a bridge between two people, two families, two generations. This Diwali, light up and celebrate our cultural heritage!