{"id":37843,"date":"2018-10-18T14:19:05","date_gmt":"2018-10-18T21:19:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saffronmarigold.com\/blog\/?p=37843"},"modified":"2025-10-18T14:11:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T21:11:07","slug":"diwali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saffronmarigold.com\/blog\/diwali\/","title":{"rendered":"Diwali: The Complete Guide to Diwali Decorations, Greetings, & More"},"content":{"rendered":"

Diwali will be a holiday filled with inspiration. With our roots in India, we have a deeply personal connection to this celebration. Diwali is truly a celebration filled with beautiful elements that everybody can appreciate and enjoy. We’re excited to share more about India’s most significant festival today.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Diwali<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What is Diwali?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diwali is a five-day celebration that marks the first day of the Hindu New Year. Known as The Grand Festival of Lights, the word stems from the Sanskrit deepavali<\/em>, or “rows of lighted lamps.” During the festival, people light diyas<\/em> (earthen oil lamps). This is done to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of abundance, wealth, and prosperity.  Diwali signifies the victory of good over evil, hope over despair, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. This is India’s biggest festival of the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Diyas are lit to symbolize the power of light and its triumph over darkness.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Where is Diwali celebrated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While people celebrate Diwali throughout India, different regions emphasize different customs. For example, northern Indian celebrations focus on the return and coronation of King Rama from his exile. Other parts of the country link Diwali with Parvathi, the goddess of love and devotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You’ll also find Diwali celebrations in Malaysia, Fiji, Guyana, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, and Australia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When will Diwali take place?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Typically, Diwali occurs on the New Moon of the month Karthik on the Hindu calendar, which is based on lunar and solar cycles. In this type of calendar, the festival dates change each year. In general, Diwali occurs in October or November.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year Diwali takes place from October 18–October 22. Some families choose to celebrate the third day only, but most families and communities still partake in a five-day festival.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Common Diwali greetings and customs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Throughout Diwali, we appreciate symbols of the inner light that protects us from the darkness. With that in mind, we present a few common greetings perfectly in tune with the spirit of the celebration:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Happy Diwali! May your life be as bright and colorful as the lights of Diwali.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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May every aspect of your life be as luminous and wonderful as the lamps of Diwali.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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May the light of the\u00a0diyas<\/em>\u00a0guide you toward the way of wealth and prosperity.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If you have friends celebrating this holiday, be sure to wish them a Happy Diwali!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun Diwali traditions and celebrations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diwali presents a bold display of beauty and inclusivity. Each of the five days carries with it special meaning and customs. We’d like to share a few of these along with how our team in Sanganer celebrates during the festival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diwali: Day 1, or Dhanteras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first day of Diwali is known as \u2018Dhanteras\u2019 or the worship of wealth and many worship Goddess Lakshmi on this day. Many consider this an auspicious day for big-ticket purchases. It’s sort of like India’s take on Black Friday!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We deep clean our Saffron Marigold printing studio on Dhanteras to prepare for the week’s festivities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Diwali: Day 2, or Choti Diwali<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The second day is Naraka Chaturdashi or \u2018Choti (small) Diwali.\u2019 Many people wake up early on the second day to practice purification rituals. This day emphasizes cleanliness and beauty. Purification rituals will include aromatic oils, turmeric, sandalwood paste, and bathing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Day 2 also serves as a day devoted to beautifying one\u2019s work space and living space. On this day, we decorate the Saffron Marigold design studio. Here you’ll find masses of marigold flowers, clay lamps, and intricate patterns using colored sand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"altar<\/a>
Diwali altar decorated with masses of marigold flowers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day 3: the main Diwali festival, Lakshmi Pooja<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The main Diwali celebration takes place on the third day. This is the day of the new moon,  and this is when the goddess Lakshmi is invited at home. People worship Lakshmi exuberantly and ardently. Come evening, <\/span>celebrations include <\/span>abundant lights, fireworks, and feasts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At our studio, the Lakshmi Pooja extends to the printing tables, wood blocks, sewing machines and all other tools used to make our linens. We also recognize and honor our artisans on this day with gifts and sweets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saffron Marigold practices the Diwali tradition of inviting everyone associated with our India operations to print fabric together. Each person takes a turn stamping a few blocks on this communal yardage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our team in India sent us photographs of their Diwali celebrations–have a look!<\/p>\n\n\n

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