Diwali 2020 Celebrations and Lights

Diwali is a celebration that takes place in many parts of the world and is India’s biggest holiday of the year. As a child I recall the smell of spice and fresh flowers immersing the kitchen as my family prepared the time-honored South Indian traditions of  cleaning the home and decorating in Kolam designs while in Northern India, decorated with Rangoli. In various parts of the world including India, Singapore, Mauritius, and Malaysia, Diwali is celebrated and each individual country of the world may celebrate Diwali differently. The holiday is revered by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.  In some places homes are decorated and lit up with rows of colorful candles and celebratory lights in honor of  Diwali. The holiday is celebrated in various forms as a time of good luck and fortune. Streets are brightly lit with candles along the houses of Hindu communities  and billions across the world have come to know Diwali as the Festival of Lights.

This year, we all expect the majority of Diwali 2020 celebrations to take place with a more scaled down approach, as groups will be limited and families and friends find themselves looking for creative ways to celebrate the holiday this year.

Social Distancing Guidelines and Diwali 2020

With various forms of social distancing guidelines in place here in Utah and on the global stage, many look to creative ways to connect with friends and family this holiday season. Diwali is traditionally a time for togetherness, when families and friends come together. The internet and social media will continue to be utilized as a means of connecting families and friends during Diwali.

Happy Diwali 2020!

Diwali Day One, Thursday, Vasu Baras and Worship of Cows

In the Indian State of Maharashtra, Vasu Baras marks the welcoming of Diwali.  This year the opening day of the Diwali 2020 celebrations started on Thursday, November 12th. In Hindu culture, this day is known as the Day of Worshiping Cows, as cows are worshiped in Hindu culture as God. The cow holds a very sacred place in Vedic mythology and this is the day the cow and her calf are worshiped. This day is also known as Govatsa Dwadashi or Vasubaras or Nandini Vrat. Traditionally this is a day to tidy the home and prepare to welcome the great Hindu Goddess Lakshmi into the home.

Diwali Day Two, Friday, Dhanteras

In 2020, Dhanteras is being celebrated on Friday, 13 November. It is common to perform rituals called puja, or pooja, involving the placement of tea lights around the balconies or entryways of homes. It is also common for people to buy gold, silver and precious stones, ornaments, new clothes, and valuable utensils on this day. This is also the ideal time for new Ventures. Be sure to light up a Chaumukhi Diya.

Dhanteras Puja Muhurat: 05:28 PM to 05:59 PM
Duration – 01 Hour 05 Mins

Diwali Day Three, Saturday, Chaturdashi

The main day of celebration takes place on Saturday, November 14th. This is a day to rid oneself of the negatives and the holiday is celebrated differently throughout various parts of the world, including various traditions with the Sikhs, and Jains. Other traditions include  a ritual of bathing called Abhyanga Snan, the lighting sparklers, and creating rangolis. The celebration of Diwali is associated with the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and in some regions it is a celebration of Lord Rama returning to his kingdom Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Celebrate With Delicious Indian Cuisine

Samosa: This perfectly crispy, flavorfully spicy samosa is the perfect Indian appetizer to warm your belly and your heart during this festive occasion. If you are planning a small Diwali party at your place you must have Samosas.