Diwali
Diwali, also known as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights, is traditionally celebrated by Hindus in India. It is the most important holiday of the year, much like Christmas is to Christians.
Over the centuries, other religions such as Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism have joined the festivities:
For Jains, Diwali marks the spiritual awakening of Lord Mahavira.
For Buddhists, Diwali marks the beginning of Emperor Ashoka’s journey with Buddhism.
And for Sikhs, Diwali marks the end of Guru Hargobind Ji’s imprisonment.
Diwali is also known as the “Festival of Lights”.
Learn more about inclusive celebrations in Holiday Activities to do with Your Team!
The History of Diwali
The existence of Diwali can be traced back thousands of years but the precise origin of Diwali is an enigma and varies depending on beliefs.
There are mentions of the holiday in Sanskrit texts, and the day has been described by numerous ancient travelers from various backgrounds.
One of the most well-known stories associated with Diwali is the return of Lord Rama from his 14-year exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed him by lighting oil lamps, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.
Another legend tells of the goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, visiting homes during Diwali. To welcome her, people light lamps and decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs.
Some experts believe that Diwali is a combination of multiple celebrations. The Hindu calendar is lunisolar, meaning it relies on both the sun and the moon. When viewed through today’s commonplace Gregorian calendar, the dates of Diwali change each year, which may have led to it’s evolution over time.
What is agreed though, is that Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness for all religions that celebrate the day.
Interesting Facts and Statistics
There are 1.16 billion people who practice Hinduism.
There are 1.39 billion people living in India and India is home to approximately 94% of the world’s Hindu population.
Each year, Diwali is celebrated on the 15th day of the Hindu month of Kartika.
The word Diwali means “row of lights”.
Hindus make up 79.8% of India’s population and are the majority in 28 of India’s 35 states.
Diwali is not just a one-day event; it's a five-day celebration, with the actual day of Diwali occurring on the third day.
In some regions, playing card games and gambling during Diwali is considered auspicious as it is believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
Diwali is synonymous with indulging in a variety of sweets and treats. Traditional sweets like "ladoos," "barfis," and "jalebis" are prepared and exchanged among friends and family
How Is Diwali Celebrated?
Dhanteras - The First Day
On this day, many Hindus clean their homes and businesses. Diyas, or oil filled lamps, are hung and are to remain lit for the duration of the celebration.
Adults and children decorate homes, businesses, markets and temples with rangolis, lights and lanterns. The day is marked by shopping, praying and offerings.
Naraka Chaturdashi - The Second Day
The word naraka means “hell”, and on this day souls are relieved of their suffering and Hindus are reminded of their spiritual favorableness.
This day is also one for shopping, where festive foods, particularly treats, are purchased. In some parts of Northern India, women and girls bathe before sunrise with a diya to enhance their beauty.
Lakshmi Pujan - The Third Day
This is the day of Diwali. Family members dressed festively gather for the Lakshmi Pujan. This is a religious festival celebrating Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
Offerings are made, fireworks are lit and families share feasts. Hindus welcome Lakshmi into their clean and decorated homes in hopes of prosperity and happiness in the new year.
Annakut - The Fourth Day
This day is a celebration of the bond between husband and wife, and some husbands give their wives gifts.
In rural communities, this day honors Krishna, the god of protection. A mountain of food is offered, as Krishna once saved farmers from flooding by raising a mountain.
Bhai Duj - The Fifth Day
The final day celebrates the bond between sisters and brothers. If the sister and brother are not living together, he will travel to see her and her family.
On this day women pray for their brothers and ritualistically feed their brothers with their hands. Brothers give their sisters gifts in return.
Ways To Celebrate Diwali in the Workplace
Paid Time Off
Considering the fact that Diwali is a national holiday in India and several other countries, employees may choose to take one or more days off to celebrate with friends and family.
Employees that do so should receive paid time off, as they would for holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving. This is one way to show appreciation for your employees and their religious beliefs.
Well Wishes
An email, greeting card or simple Post-It Note is the perfect way to let your employees know that you are thinking of them on this special day. Holidays celebrated by underrepresented religious groups often go unnoticed. This is hurtful to those that are a part of said groups as they do not feel valued.
Catered Lunch
In honor of Diwali, have lunch catered. Create a poll with different options for employees to choose from. Be sure to include options for those with dietary restrictions (e.g., plant-based and gluten-free).
The majority of Hindus do not eat meat, eggs and animal-derived fats. Hindus never consume beef, as the cow is considered a holy animal. When planning a catered lunch, take note of these dietary restrictions in order to maintain an inclusive atmosphere.
Decorations
Create a lively atmosphere with paper diyas and hang them throughout the office. Assembling these traditional Diwali decorations and appreciating their significance is an excellent team-bonding activity.
Resources for Further Education
Employees
Employers
Everyday Allyship
When celebrating Diwali in the workplace, it is important to be respectful of Hindu employees. Festivities should not mock Hinduism or Indian culture, and they should accommodate the needs of Hindu employees (e.g., dietary restrictions).
As an inclusive leader, educate yourself (and your team) about the significance of Diwali, the history of Hinduism and how to be an ally to underrepresented religious groups. All employees deserve to feel welcome in the workplace each and every day.
