How Diwali 2024 is Celebrated Across Different States

Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is one of the major and colourful festivals that marks its presence all over the Indian subcontinent. The central theme of Diwali is the same throughout the Indian subcontinent, which is the triumph of light over darkness, of good over evil, and of knowledge over folly, but the manner in which it is celebrated changes dramatically from one state to the next. Let us now look at some of the various cultural expressions of the Diwali 2024 festival in Fellow India.

Diwali in North India: The Story of Lord Rama’s Return

In the north of India, Diwali 2024 celebrates how Lord Rama came back to Ayodhya after staying in exile for 14 years. When the people of Ayodhya awaited for their king to return, they lit oil lamps, and this action turned out to be a classic depiction of the whole city being lit.

• Uttar Pradesh (Ayodhya): The celebrations of Diwali in Ayodhya, which is the land of Lord Rama, are very vivid and dazzling. The city organises Deepotsav, a big event, where thousands of earthen lamps (diyas) are placed around the Sarayu river.
• Delhi: In the capital city, people observe the popular festival of Diwali, with decorated houses with light and rangoli, bursting of firecrackers and eating a lot. The Red Fort surroundings get a lot of activities in terms of fairs and spiritual gatherings.
• Punjab: For Sikhs, the day of Diwali is significant as it is the day of Bandi Chhor Divas; according to history, this is the day Guru Hargobind Ji was set free from jail. The Golden Temple in Amritsar becomes visually spectacular with countless diyas and cannons being fired.

Diwali in Maharashtra: Celebrating Lakshmi Puja and Padwa

In this state, Diwali is a multi-day cultural event with varying customs, the last being Lakshmi Puja. The festivities officially begin on Vasu Baras, followed by Dhanteras, Naraka Chaturdashi, and finally, Lakshmi Puja.

• Lakshmi Puja: During this puja, Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is prayed to and sought after in these households.
• Diwali Padwa: The day following Lakshmi Puja is Diwali Padwa, which helps unite husband and wife. Special gifts were given to the wives by the husbands, and complete families come together for delectable dishes.

Diwali 2024 in West Bengal: Worshipping Goddess Kali

In this part of India, instead of Lakshmi, Goddess Kali, the fierce version of Durga is worshipped.

• Kali Puja: Devotees of Goddess Kali have their idols decorated with flowers and fed with sweets, fish, and rice. Devotees pray to her for strength in the path of destroying the evils around them.
• Lighting of Diyas and Firecrackers: In Bengal, even with all the attention on Kali Puja, the focus of the people seems to shift to lighting up the streets with oil lamps and rangolis decorated with colours.

Diwali in Tamil Nadu: Naraka Chaturdashi and the Celebration of Family Bonds

Diwali in Tamil Nadu is celebrated mainly on Naraka Chaturdashi, which is one day prior to Diwali in other Indian states. Diwali is also the day that marks when Lord Krishna killed the demon Narakasura.

• Oil Baths and Early Morning Celebrations: People looking for relief from the hot sun arise early on Naraka Chaturdashi to take an oil bath. The oil bath is assumed to be a cleansing process.
• Celebratory Feasts: Tamilians have their own style by starting their day of celebrations with the traditional feasts, where dishes include traditional sweets like adhirasam and murukku and beautifying their surroundings with diyas.

Diwali in Karnataka: Bali Padyami and Tradition of Games

In Karnataka, Diwali 2024 includes a significant event known as Bali Padyami or Balipratipada. It honours King Bali, a benevolent Asura king whose spirit is said to visit the land during this time.

• Bali Padyami: Throughout the history of baliprayami, it was these ceremonies that invited Lord Bali back to earth. This event also features people preparing cuisines, otherwise known as bajanana.

Diwali in Gujarat: New Year Celebrations and Govardhan Puja

In Gujarat, Diwali is a highly celebrated festival, also marking the Gujarati New Year. The Diwali celebrations in Gujarat are intertwined with several unique customs and rituals, often spanning over five days.

• Lakshmi Puja: Most businesses close their old accounts and open new accounts in the belief that Goddess Lakshmi will bless all of their new ventures. This ritual known as Chopda Pujan is of great relevance in the business community of Gujarat.
• Govardhan Puja: The prayer is performed the day following Diwali, which is called Govardhan Puja, and it commemorates the day Krishna raised Mount Govardhan to save the villagers from showers.

Diwali in Odisha: The Festival of Lights and Kaunriya Kathi

Kaunriya Kathi is a term often used in Odisha in place of Diwali 2024 as it has a unique ceremony concerning the hallow ancestral spirits. On this particular day, families remember their ancestors and pray to be blessed with wealth.

• Kaunriya Kathi: People set jute sticks (Kaunriya Kathi) on fire in the night and beckon their ancestors. This wonderful practice enables the souls of the ancestors to reach their permanent abode.

Diwali 2024 in Goa: Narakasura’s Effigy Burning

The first day of Diwali is celebrated in Goa with the Narakasura’s effigies being burned on Naraka Chaturdashi to signify good has won over evil.

• Narakasura Effigy Burning: Humongous effigies of the demon Narakasura are created using paper and stuffed with crackers.
• Lakshmi Puja and Fireworks: Afterwards, the entire family comes together to perform the Lakshmi Puja, where they all pray for prosperity.

Diwali in Bihar and Jharkhand: Chhath Puja and Celebrations of Light

In both Bihar and Jharkhand, the Chhath Puja falls closely after the Diwali celebrations, and this is referred to as a festival of the sun.

• Lakshmi Puja: It is believed by people that when Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on Diwali night, it brings good fortune and prosperity to the people and the country.
• Preparation for Chhath Puja: Chhath puja is performed by a majority of households that revere the Sun and who build temples to chhathi maiya and is strictly observed by many households.

Diwali in Himachal Pradesh: Unique Offerings and Worship of Cattle

In the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, Diwali celebrations have a unique rural charm.

• Lakshmi Puja: Clay lamps and rangoli designs are used by some devotees who perform Lakshmi Puja at their houses.
• Worship of Cattle: Cattle, adorned with ornaments, are adored and venerated in villages, as the economy is predominantly agricultural.

Conclusion

Diwali 2024 celebrations include offering puja to Laxmi Devi, Kali puja in some areas, burning of Narakasura’s idol, lighting of lamps and so on. Every state manages to carve its own niche as far as this festival is concerned, which is evident in the sights, sounds, and tastes.