Diwali, which is also called with several other names such as Deepawali, Devali, or Dipawli, is considered to be the biggest and grandest festival not only of Hindu religion, but also of the entire India. Apart from India, the festival of Diwali is also celebrated all across the world in and among the followers of several other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, though for a different belief and purpose. Diwali, in its literal meaning refers to rows of light, and is also referred as �Festival of Lights�. According to Roman calendar, there is no fixed day on which Diwali is celebrated. However, according to Hindu religion, Diwali is meant to be celebrated on the fifteenth day of the month of Karnik, which usually falls either in the month of October or November. Also, the day of Diwali falls exactly twenty days after Dusshera. Also, Diwali always falls either on Amavasya or No Moon day. Diwali also marks the day of commencement of Hindu New Year. However, Deepawali celebrations are not merely constrained to a single day celebration, but usually have an extended celebration of five days.
Diwali Festival 2011: What Is the Date?
As one is getting closer to the time of festival celebration in India, all must be wondering and questioning is about when exactly the Diwali festival or Deepawali festival of 2011 will fall on. In according to the Hindu calendar, and the positioning of the moon, Diwali festival of 2011 will fall on 26th October.
Know More about Diwali Festival
In Hindu religion, the festival of Diwali or Deepawali is primarily considered to be a commemoration of the historic day when Lord Rama returned to Ayodha along with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman, after completing his 14 years of Vanvaas and after conquering Ravan, the demon king of Lanka. Other than this, Diwali also commemorates the killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna. Narakasura, who used to be the ruler of Pradyoshapuram, was an evil demon. He used to make everyone suffer under him. Lord Krishna ended his rule of suffering and inequity by killing him. Therefore, Diwali or Deepawali primarily spreads and celebrates the message of victory of virtue over evil. The lighting up of lamps and electric bulbs is one way to celebrate that significance, as do9ing so is considered to sway away all the evil and negative energies out of that place, and fill it with positive energies and elements of virtue.
Diwali Festival 2011 Celebrations
Diwali celebrations are as big and grand, as the Diwali festival itself is. Since Diwali Festival of 2011 is closing in, a quick and thorough look through the below lines will ensure that you celebrate this year�s Diwali with more grandeur and happiness around you.
The major part of preparations done as a part of Diwali celebrations is the cleansing of the house, workplace, and neighborhood. As a part of it, people get their place revamped, renovated, and painted. Markets see an all-year high rush, when people along with their friends and families move out to buy themselves new clothes and all new things which one could imagine. Buying of gifts and sweets for friends as well as close and extended families is very much an intact part of the preparation of Diwali celebrations. Another major part of shopping sees buying of traditional and fancy diyas or lamps. Off late, there has been an increased trend of buying electric bulbs which are prepared in varied beautiful series. Though Rangoli or Kolam making is considered to be an old-fashioned ritual of celebrating Diwali by many, even when we are in the year of 2011, it is still a very popular and distinct part of many of the families who associate it with religious significance. Some of those religious significances state that Goddess Lakshmi will only visit a house only if that house has a Kolam at the way in.
Diwali Festival 2011: On the Day Itself
One is usually expected to rise up early and take an early bath on the morning of Diwali or Deepawali. After that, one gets himself dressed up neatly in new clothes, to get prepared for a family visit to a temple to offer prayers and worships for the day. (Wearing black on the day of Diwali is not recommended, as it is considered to be inauspicious.) After that, people visit friends and families to exchange Diwali wishes and to present them with Diwali gifts. The major rituals needed to be performed as a part of Diwali festival, initiates during the evening time, which is fixed up within a certain slot. People decorate the idols of Gods and Goddesses in their house temple as well as the temple at workplace. The entire family gathers to offer mutual worship to Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laksmi, and ask them to confer blessings of contentment, prosperity, peace, and knowledge. After conclusion of the worships and prayers, entire family gathers up in the task of placing diyas all around the place.
Diwali Festival 2011: The Complete Schedule
Take a look on the complete schedule of Diwali Festival 2011-
| Date | Day | Festival |
| 24th October 2011 | Monday | Dhanteras |
| 25th October 2011 | Tuesday | Choti Diwali (Naraka Chaturdashi) |
| 26th October 2011 | Wednesday | Diwali / Deepawali |
| 27th October 2011 | Thursday | Padwa (Govardhan Pooja / Annakoot) |
| 28th October 2011 | Friday | Bhai Dooj (Yama Dwitiya) |
Happy Diwali 2011! Make sure that your Diwali Festival 2011 ends up being the best one till date.