Ever wondered how different parts of India celebrate the same festival in unique ways? We bring you stories, rituals, and traditions that make Diwali festivities shine in every corner of India!
When we think of Diwali the festival of lights, images of twinkling diyas, vibrant rangolis, and bursting fireworks flood our minds. Across India, people celebrate this five-day festival in many familiar ways—cleaning their homes, wearing new clothes, exchanging sweets, shopping for gifts and praying to Goddess Lakshmi.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali’s core theme remains consistent—symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil—the stories, rituals, and traditions vary widely across regions. In North India, Diwali marks the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana, a story central to the celebration. Meanwhile, in the East, the festival takes on a different tone, with devotees worshipping Goddess Kali, emphasizing her strength and power.
But beyond the well-known customs lie lesser-known traditions that add unique flavours to this dazzling celebration. In Himachal Pradesh, for instance, the Pathar Mela, a lively stone-pelting festival, adds an adventurous twist to the celebrations. In Chhattisgarh, the festival is celebrated with ‘Diyari,’ a tradition that revolves around agriculture and cattle, reflecting the region’s strong connection to farming. Each of these unique customs highlights India’s incredible cultural diversity during Diwali.
Let’s explore the vibrant customs and rituals that make this celebration truly one-of-a-kind!
Patthar Mela in Himachal Pradesh
The Pathar Mela, or stone-pelting festival, is an ancient tradition celebrated with enthusiasm in Halog village near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. Held annually the day after Deepavali, this unique event draws large crowds from nearby villages. The festival’s origins lie in a centuries-old practice where, according to local folklore, human sacrifices were once made at the Bhadrakali Temple to appease the goddess. One of the queens of the Dhami estate named Sati abolished this practice, replacing it with the symbolic act of stone pelting.
During the festival, two groups, the Katedus and Jhanogis, throw stones at each other in a friendly manner. The pelting starts in the afternoon and ends when someone is injured.
The Pathar Mela continues to be celebrated as a symbol of sacrifice and community unity. The villagers keep the tradition alive with respect for their cultural heritage. Although unusual, this festival highlights the strong ties to local traditions in Himachal Pradesh, making it a significant event for the people of Halog.
The Boat Festival in Odisha
While most of us light up the streets with firecrackers, Odisha lights up the water! During Diwali, locals in Odisha celebrate a special tradition called “Boita Bandana,” or the Boat Festival, to honour their maritime heritage. People make tiny boats out of banana bark, paper, or cork, decorating them with small oil lamps, betel leaves, and flowers. They set these miniature boats afloat in rivers, ponds, and the sea, paying homage to their ancestors who were once sea traders. The sight of these boats drifting in the water, lit by the soft glow of oil lamps, is a unique and picturesque way of celebrating the festival.
Crop Marriage at Bastar, Chattisgarh ( DIYARI )
In the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, the festival is celebrated uniquely as ‘Diyari’, a festival deeply connected to agriculture and the well-being of cattle. The celebration begins with an important ritual called the marriage of crops, where freshly harvested crops, typically rice or millets, are symbolically married to an idol of Lord Narayana. This act represents a bond between the farmers’ harvest and divine forces, performed to ensure a successful and bountiful farming season ahead.
Following this, a puja (worship) is conducted to seek blessings for the health and protection of the villagers’ cattle, which play a crucial role in farming activities. Farmers decorate their cattle, often with garlands and painted horns, to honour them for their indispensable role in agriculture. This ritual highlights the close relationship between the people of Bastar and their livestock, acknowledging their importance in the agricultural cycle.
The Diyari festival reflects the region’s strong agricultural traditions and the villagers’ gratitude towards nature and animals. Rather than focusing on fireworks and lights, this version of Diwali festivities emphasizes the vital connection between the land, its produce, and the livestock, ensuring prosperity for the community in the coming year.
Bandi Chhor Diwas: The Sikh Festival of Freedom
Bandi Chhor Diwas is a significant Sikh festival celebrated to mark the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Singh Ji, from imprisonment by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. The term “Bandi Chhor” means “Liberator of Prisoners,” as Guru Hargobind Singh not only secured his own freedom but also released 52 Hindu princes who were wrongfully imprisoned alongside him.
The story behind Bandi Chhor Diwas is deeply rooted in Sikh values of justice and compassion. Guru Hargobind Singh was imprisoned for standing up against Mughal oppression. Upon his release, he refused to leave unless the 52 princes were also freed. In a clever agreement with Jahangir, he ensured that all of the princes were released by using a cloak with 52 tassels, allowing each prince to hold onto one as they walked out of captivity.
Bandi Chhor Diwas coincides with the Hindu festival of Diwali, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar is illuminated with thousands of lights and diyas in celebration. Sikhs around the world commemorate the day with prayers, kirtans, and community meals (langar), celebrating not only the Guru’s release but also the Sikh values of freedom, equality, and justice for all.
Hookah Paati in regions of Bihar
Laxmi Ghar, Daridra Bahar (Lakshmi in, Poverty out) is a special Diwali tradition in the Anga, Mithilanchal, and Kosi regions of Bihar. Known as Hookah Paati (हुक्का पाती), this ritual symbolizes the welcoming of Goddess Lakshmi into homes.
It is believed that even King Karna of Anga used to follow this tradition during Diwali. Despite modern influences, the tradition of Hookah Patti, made from sanathi (jute stick), remains strong in these areas.
In the afternoon, the head of the household prepares a Hookah Patti using a rope made of sanathi and paat (flax). A ghee lamp and a Hookah Patti are placed in the home and near the family deity’s shrine to invite prosperity. These Hookah Pattis are also kept at various locations where gods and goddesses are worshipped.
This tradition dates back to ancient Sanatan times. Even today, people place Hookah Pattis in their homes and take them to nearby temples. Before starting the ritual, a lamp and Hookah Patti are placed in each household and taken to the temple for blessings.
Scientific Reason: The sanathi fire is believed to have antibacterial properties. Jute (sanathi) releases very little carbon dioxide when burned, and the smoke is said to help eliminate harmful insects and bacteria, much like the lighting of a lamp. Roaming around the house with a burning sanathi is thought to purify the surroundings.
Bhut Chaturdashi in West Bengal
Another unique tradition from West Bengal, celebrated just before Diwali, is Bhut Chaturdashi, which can be loosely translated as the “Night of the Spirits.” According to belief, on this night, the spirits of ancestors return to visit their families. To honor them, 14 diyas (earthen lamps) are lit to guide the spirits back home and ward off evil entities. Along with lighting lamps, families also consume 14 different kinds of leafy greens (known as choddo shaak) to protect themselves from harmful spirits. This eerie yet fascinating tradition brings an element of spirituality and respect for the afterlife to Diwali celebrations.
Kali Puja in West Bengal
While most of India worships Goddess Lakshmi for wealth and prosperity on Diwali, in West Bengal, it’s the fearsome Goddess Kali who takes centre stage. Known for her fierce and destructive form, Kali is revered for destroying evil forces. During Diwali, the region celebrates Kali Puja with grand fervour. Temples and homes are decorated with lights and diyas, while devotees offer prayers and sacrifices to Kali, seeking her protection and blessings. The night of Kali Puja is lit up with candles, and it’s a mesmerizing sight to see the goddess, usually depicted with her garland of skulls, surrounded by the flickering glow of thousands of lamps.
Chopda Pujan in Maharashtra
Diwali marks the start of a new financial year for many businesses in India, but Maharashtra takes this tradition to another level with a special ceremony called “Chopda Pujan.” On this day, businesses big and small worship their accounting books, also known as “chopda.” It’s believed that starting a new accounting book on Diwali will bring prosperity to the business in the coming year. In today’s digital age, some people even perform puja on their laptops or accounting software! This ritual signifies starting fresh with renewed energy, making it an important day for merchants, traders, and entrepreneurs.
Narak Chaturdasi in Goa
In Goa, Narak Chaturdashi, celebrated a day before Diwali, is a vibrant and unique festival symbolizing the victory of good over evil. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s slaying of the demon king Narakasura, freeing the world from the demon’s tyranny and marking the dawn of a new era of light and goodness.
The celebration in Goa is marked by a fascinating tradition where large, colourful statues of Narakasura are created by locals. These effigies, often as tall as buildings, are made from paper, wood, and straw, depicting the demon king in fearsome forms. In the early hours of the morning, the effigies are paraded through the streets accompanied by music and fireworks, creating a lively spectacle. The climax of the celebration comes when these effigies are set ablaze, symbolizing the destruction of evil forces and cleansing the community.
Following the burning, people take oil baths and wear new clothes, signifying purification and the readiness to embrace prosperity. Traditional Goan sweets, like neureos and fov, are prepared and shared among family and friends. Narak Chaturdashi in Goa is a spectacular fusion of mythology, community, and celebration, lighting the way for the Diwali festivities that follow.
There is much more to discover about the vibrant diversity of celebrations across India – and this is just the beginning.
Diwali FAQs
Q: When is Diwali celebrated, Indias biggest holiday in 2024?
A: The festival will be celebrated on October 31, 2024.
Q: Meaning of Diwali?
A: Deepavali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.
Q: What are Diwali festivities – the main rituals?
A: Key rituals include lighting lamps, performing prayers (puja), exchanging gifts, and feasting.
Q: What is the significance of lighting diyas?
A: Diyas (oil lamps) are lit to dispel darkness and invite prosperity and happiness.
Q: Is Deepavali celebrated only in India?
A: No, Deepavali is celebrated by millions around the world, including in Nepal, Sri Lanka, and among the Indian diaspora.
Q: What sweets are commonly made during Deepavali?
A: Popular sweets include ladoos, barfis, and jalebis.
Q: Who celebrates Diwali? Can I celebrate if I’m not Hindu?
A: Yes! Deepavali is celebrated by various communities and is a time for inclusivity and joy.
Q: What are some eco-friendly ways to celebrate?
A: Use natural decorations, avoid firecrackers, and opt for plant-based sweets.
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