Diwali 2023: How to Celebrate the Festival of Lights in Style

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most popular and colorful festivals in India. It is celebrated on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar, which falls on November 12 in 2023.. Diwali marks the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It is a time to rejoice, exchange gifts, decorate homes, and worship deities.

But how can you make your Diwali celebration more special and memorable? Here are some tips and ideas to help you plan your Diwali 2023 in style.

1. Start with Dhanteras: Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day Diwali festival. It is celebrated on November 10 in 2023.. Dhanteras means “wealth day” and it is considered auspicious to buy new things on this day, such as gold, silver, jewelry, vehicles, appliances, or clothes. You can also perform a puja (ritual worship) to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Kubera, the god of treasures, on this day. You can also light diyas (earthen lamps) and candles in your home to welcome the divine energy.

2. Enjoy Choti Diwali: Choti Diwali, also known as Naraka Chaturdashi, is the second day of the Diwali festival. It is celebrated on November 11 in 2023. Choti Diwali commemorates the victory of Lord Krishna over the demon king Narakasura, who had kidnapped and imprisoned many women. You can celebrate this day by taking a bath before sunrise, applying fragrant oils and powders, wearing new clothes, and bursting crackers. You can also make rangoli (colorful patterns) on the floor, using rice flour, colored sand, or flower petals. Rangoli is a way of expressing gratitude and welcoming guests.

3. Celebrate Diwali: Diwali is the main and most important day of the festival. It is celebrated on November 12 in 2023. Diwali is the day when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the evil king Ravana, who had abducted his wife Sita. You can celebrate this day by cleaning your home, making sweets and snacks, distributing gifts, and visiting your relatives and friends. You can also perform a Lakshmi puja in the evening, during the pradosh kaal (the period after sunset), which is the most auspicious time for the puja. You can also light diyas, candles, and lanterns in your home and outside, and enjoy the fireworks display.

4. Observe Govardhan Puja: Govardhan Puja, also known as Annakut Puja, is the fourth day of the Diwali festival. It is celebrated on November 14 in 2023. Govardhan Puja is the day when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain on his little finger to protect the people of Vrindavan from the wrath of Lord Indra, the god of rain and thunder. You can observe this day by offering a mountain of food to Lord Krishna, and then distributing it among your family and friends. You can also make a small replica of the Govardhan hill with cow dung or mud, and decorate it with flowers and leaves. You can also worship cows, which are considered sacred in Hinduism, and feed them with grass and sweets.

5. End with Bhai Dooj: Bhai Dooj, also known as Bhaiya Dooj, is the fifth and final day of the Diwali festival. It is celebrated on November 15 in 2023. Bhai Dooj is the day when sisters pray for the long life and well-being of their brothers, and brothers give gifts and blessings to their sisters. You can celebrate this day by applying a tilak (a mark) on your brother’s forehead, performing an aarti (a ritual of waving a lamp), and exchanging sweets and gifts. You can also share stories, jokes, and memories with your siblings, and express your love and gratitude for them.

Diwali is a festival of joy, happiness, and harmony. It is a time to celebrate the values of life, such as truth, justice, courage, and compassion. It is also a time to reflect on your inner light, and spread it to others. So, make your Diwali 2023 a memorable one by following these tips and ideas, and have a happy and prosperous Diwali!