Hinduism is the primary religion of India and one of the largest religions in the world, based on the number of followers. These Indian women are lighting lamps for a major Hindu festival called Diwali, celebrated by Hindu communities worldwide.
Credit: AP/Wide World

Happy Diwali! It is a time for family, flowers, fireworks, lights, sweet treats, and vibrant silks. Diwali,also spelled Divali or Dipavali, is a major Hindu festival. It is sometimes called the festival of lights. It is celebrated in all parts of India, where it is a national holiday, and in Hindu communities worldwide. Just recently New York City Public Schools announced Diwali will be recognized as an official holiday starting in 2023. Diwali is scheduled based on the phases of the moon. The festivities normally fall after India cools down from summer but before monsoon season begins.

Diwali lasts from two to five days, depending on local custom. It falls during the Hindu month of Kartika (October to November). The high point of Diwali is the day of the new moon, which is New Year’s Day in some parts of India. Dipavali is a Sanskrit term that means row of lights. During Diwali, people decorate their homes and Hindu temples with small earthenware oil lamps. They also may visit each other, exchange gifts and greeting cards, and wear new clothes.

During Diwali, a major Hindu festival, people decorate their homes and temples with small earthenware oil lamps. The name Diwali comes from a Sanskrit word meaning row of lights. This picture shows a man in India lighting Diwali lamps that are decorated with flowers.
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Diwali has different meanings for different groups of Hindus, but it usually honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Thus, Diwali has a special importance for business owners, merchants, and shopkeepers, who pray to Lakshmi during the festival. For these people, Diwali lamps are meant to help Lakshmi find her way into the homes of the faithful to give them prosperity. For others, the lamps light the path of ancestors who have visited earth. The lamps also symbolize the turning of the seasons and of the human spirit from darkness to light.

Diwali also commemorates the return of Rama and his wife, Sita, to the holy city of Ayodhya after 14 years in exile. Rama is the hero of the ancient Sanskrit the Ramayana. The Diwali lamps serve to welcome the returning couple. In West Bengal, Diwali is associated with Kali, the goddess of destruction.

Followers of the Sikh religion also celebrate Diwali. It marks the release from prison in 1619 of Guru Hargobind by the Mughal emperor. Guru Hargobind was the sixth Sikh guru (spiritual leader). Like Hindus, Sikhs exchange gifts and light lamps in their homes and temples during the festival.

Vira-nirvana, a one-day Jain festival, coincides with Diwali and shares some of its features. Vira-nirvana marks the passing of Mahavira, who organized the Jain religion, into nirvana. Nirvana is a state of perfect peace outside the cycle of birth and death. Many Jains devote this day to fasting and meditation. They also light lamps to mark Mahavira’s passing.

Cutting a tree for the home is an important Christmas tradition in many families. This photograph shows an Austrian family carrying a freshly cut Christmas tree through a snow-covered forest.
© Hans Huber, Westend61/Alamy Images

The Christmas season is here! Christmas is a special holiday for many people around the world. Christmas is a Christian feast day that commemorates the Nativity. The Nativity is the birth of Jesus Christ. A feast is a time of celebration. The Nativity feast originated in ancient times and evolved over many years. Most Christians observe Christmas on December 25, but the exact date of Jesus’s birth is unknown. The modern English word Christmas that is used today came from the early English term Cristes maesse, meaning Mass of Christ. Both religious and nonreligious traditions developed around the feast.

Christmas traditions vary throughout the world. People in different places share some Christmas customs. For example, many people attend church services, exchange gifts, put up decorations, and share a special meal. Some customs are unique to a particular group or region. In many countries, Santa Claus brings presents to children during the Christmas season. Children look forward to receiving gifts from Santa Claus on the night of Dec. 24. They also may hang up stockings for Santa to fill with small treats. Today, friends and relatives give one another gifts at Christmastime.

A festive Christmas market in Ettal, Germany, offers a variety of Christmas decorations and gifts. Germany is known for such markets, which fill town squares with temporary booths and shops during the holiday season.
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In the United States and Canada, people decorate their homes with Christmas trees, evergreen wreaths, and Nativity scenes. They place presents for one another under the tree. City streets sparkle with outdoor lights and other decorations. Many people send greeting cards to relatives and friends who live far away. In some places, groups of carolers walk from house to house singing Christmas songs. Charity also has become an important part of the Christmas season. Many people feel a desire to share their good fortune with those who cannot afford Christmas gifts or a large holiday meal. Churches, schools, and businesses organize food and gift drives.

Many people watch shows and movies about Christmas. The Nutcracker ballet, first performed in Russia in 1892, remains a tradition during the Christmas season. Many people have favorite Christmas movies to watch with friends and family such as It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), A Christmas Story (1983), and Home Alone (1990).

In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak) of the coronavirus disease COVID-19 again this Christmas. Christmas might feel different if you are staying home to stay healthy, but there are many ways to celebrate. You can mail or email someone a Christmas greeting card, or watch a famous Christmas movie! However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and joyful Christmas!