What is Diwali and how to celebrate

How to celebrate Diwali with flatmates

Diwali, also called Festival of Lights - literally means a “row of lights”. It’s a festival which lasts for five days and is celebrated by millions of people from many religions including Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism.

Diwali means different things to different religions and has different traditions associated with it.

Because Diwali follows the lunar calendar, the dates change slightly each year. For this year, celebrations start today (Friday 6 November) - also known as Dhanterast, kickstarting five-day festivities. The main celebrations will take place this Sunday 8 November and will finish on Tuesday 10 November (Bhai Dooj).

Why is it celebrated?

While Diwali holds unique significance across different faiths, it universally symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and wisdom over ignorance.

How is it celebrated ?

Different religions will all have differences in how they observe and celebrate the festival.

The classic tradition is lighting diyas which are small little lamps filled to invite the presence of Lakshmi, who is the goddess of wealth.

Homes are decorated with rangolis which are beautiful patterns made from coloured rice, sand or flower petals and are to welcome the gods into their homes and to bring them good luck.

Friends and families also come together to exchange and share gifts, special festive meals and boxes of traditional Indian sweets called mithai.

How you can get involved in halls!

Whether you are celebrating away from home or want to celebrate with flatmates to experience the festival for the first time - you can do it many ways! Decorating communal spaces with safe LED tea lights and hanging or garland draped across door or cooking and sharing food with other flatmates.

Check out the Coventry University Hindu Society Instagram page for events and how to join in!