Diwali 2020 – Holiday in India
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is celebrated across India with great pomp and enthusiasm. It is referred to as the Festival of Lights. It is usually celebrated for a period of five days. Diwali represents the victory of light over darkness, i.e., hope over despair. This page contains all the information you would need on Diwali 2020.
When is Diwali in 2020?
Diwali 2020 date in India calendar is as shown below:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
| Deepavali Festival | 27th October | Sunday |
Diwali 2020 Date in India
Diwali will be one of the October bank holidays in 2020 and the following years. Here are the Diwali holiday dates for the next two years:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
| Diwali 2020 | 14th November | Saturday |
| Diwali 2021 | 4th November | Thursday |
Diwali 2020 Celebrations
According to Hindu mythology, Deepavali is the celebration of the wedding of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. It is believed that the Goddess pays a visit to the houses of devotees during Diwali and showers upon them immense wealth and prosperity.
In some of the ancient scriptures, Diwali is also mentioned as the day when Lord Ram returned to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravan. The people of Ayodhya had illuminated the kingdom with diyas to welcome him.
During Diwali celebrations in India, families and friends get together and light lamps/diyas or lanterns outside their houses. Activities like exchange of gifts, games, and lighting crackers are common.
Crackers for Diwali 2020
Lighting firecrackers is a prominent ritual throughout India during Diwali. The skies light up in a myriad of colours while the sounds of crackers usher in the joy of the festival. Some households even compete with neighbours in putting up the best show of fireworks in the vicinity.
Although fireworks are a treat to the eyes, it is widely known that these are not really good for health. The aluminium in crackers cause skin infections and toxic gases emitted from lighting crackers can cause respiratory problems. Environmentalists have been trying to establish the fact that people should strictly say no to crackers. Off late, the government has launched eco friendly crackers to mitigate the concerns over air pollution.
The government announced that the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed various types of green crackers so that the celebrations do not contribute to pollution. These green crackers will have 30% less emissions, unlike the conventional firecrackers. Buyers can look for a green logo and a QR coding system to differentiate these crackers from the rest.
Diwali Lantern and Lamp
Lamps or diyas have adorned houses during Diwali for years. Recently, there has been increased interest in decorating houses with lanterns instead of diyas. Lanterns of various shapes and colours are available in the market today.
People have also taken to creating their own lanterns to add a personal touch to the decorations. Lantern making videos and tutorials are available in plenty online and Deepavali is a time when these videos are watched and ideas implemented. Painting diyas is also a popular activity, and is usually done in schools during this time.
Bank Holidays in October 2019
Diwali is a widely celebrated bank holiday in Oct 2019. The other holidays that fall in the same month are as follows:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
| Gandhi Jayanti | 2nd October | Wednesday |
| Ayudha Puja | 7th October | Monday |
| Dussehra | 8th October | Tuesday |
| Maharshi Valmiki Jayanti | 13th October | Sunday |
| Lakshmi Puja | 13th October | Sunday |
| Kali Puja | 27th October | Sunday |
Diwali Gift Ideas
Gifting is popular during Diwali. Here are some ideas for gifting during the festive season:
- Kitchen utensils or crockery
- Diyas, lanterns, and decorative lights
- Religious idols
- Candles
- Dry fruits and sweets
- Jewellery
- Mobile accessories
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