Diwali celebrations to get underway across Chicago area
More than 1 billion people globally will celebrate the holiday Diwali Thursday and Friday, including many from the South Asian diaspora in the Chicago area.
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Its origins date back over 2,500 years.
The holiday, one of the biggest celebrations in India, is celebrated in neighboring South Asian countries.
For South Loop resident Pranita Nayar, the holiday is one filled with memories of family and rituals, like illuminating lights and exchanging gifts.
“It’s about forgiveness and lighting up our hearts with light, lighting up the lights of others [and] generosity," she said.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is a holiday celebrated primarily by Hindu, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jains. The name comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, which means row of lights.
The celebration has many meanings depending on one’s faith and where they live.
For example, for Hindus in Southern India, Diwali marks the day Lord Krishna, the god of compassion and love, beat Narakasura, a tyrannical demon. Hindus in Northern India commemorate Lord Rama, a god considered of great morals, and his defeat of Ravana, a shape-shifting demon.
When is Diwali?
Diwali occurs depending on the Hindu calendar, where it marks the start of the Hindu New Year.
The festival takes place over five days, this year between Oct. 28 and Nov. 3. However, the height of Diwali is Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
How is Diwali celebrated?
In the days before and after the height of Diwali, the holiday is celebrated in a number of different ways, including purchasing items for your home for good luck, doing different activities or blessings to receive the benefits of certain gods or celebrating spousal or sibling relationships.
On the third day of Diwali, rows of traditional clay lamps are lit. Families and communities feast, pray and dance as well as enjoy fireworks displays. Gifts and sweet foods may be exchanged. Rangoli — colorful floral patterns drawn on the ground — to welcome in the goddess of Luck, Lakshmi, may be created, too. Some even gamble to bring in good luck for the coming year.
The holiday is all about bringing in the light and pushing out the darkness as a new year starts.
Celebrate Diwali at these Chicago-area events
- 6:30 p.m. Thursday: The Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago in Lemont will host a Diwali fireworks show.
- 7:30 p.m. Friday: The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Bartlett will have a Diwali worship ritual, followed by a fireworks display.
- 4 p.m. Saturday: Schoolhouse Kitchen and Studio in Portage Park will host a family-friendly cooking class to celebrate the holiday.
- 5 p.m. Nov. 9: Join Kalapriya at the Chicago Women’s Park and Garden in the South Loop for a Diwali celebration.