Why is celebrated diwali

Party Animals. Try This! Explore More. Diwali is the Indian festival of lights. People create patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand. Celebrations Learn about holidays and festivals celebrated around the world.

Wackiest Places Around The World Get the inside scoop on the wackiest places on the planet in this video series. Households across India celebrate by decorating their space with small lamps called diyas and other colourful lights. People cover streets and buildings in festive lighting and there are lively songs and dance. Dazzling fireworks go off, creating a spectacle of noise and light. This helps to scare away evil spirits and celebrate the victory of good over evil. Many people clean, renovate, decorate their homes and buy new clothes in preparation for the upcoming year.

Diwali is also a time to settle debts and make peace. In the past, Indian and Pakistani soldiers have exchanged sweets along the disputed border, as a gesture of Diwali goodwill.

The most delicious tradition is the gifting of mithai sweets. Friends and family exchange colourful boxes of Indian delicacies, like pedas, ladoos, jalebis, barfis and dried fruit and chocolates. The dates for Diwali change each year, as they are based on the Hindu lunisolar calendar. The festival usually falls between mid-October and mid-November.

This year , Diwali begins on Tuesday 2 November, with the peak day of celebrations happening on the third day, Thursday 4 November. The final day of celebrations this year take place on Saturday 6 November. Diwali lasts for five days. Savoury snacks could include samosas , bhajis , aloo tikki griddle-cooked potato patties and channa bhatura spiced chickpeas and puffed bread.

But, save space for the main meal, which may feature meaty curries, such as our next level tikka masala , or a feast of vegetarian Indian dishes , including dhals and pulses. Halwai shops are dedicated to making sweet and savoury snacks, although home cooks will also make family favourites, such as fudgy blocks of barfi and fried and sweetened gram flour balls known as ladoos.

Try our spiced gram flour ladoo with fragrant saffron and chopped cashews. Halwas, such as those made with carrots, wholewheat flour and semolina, are enjoyed throughout the day as well as for dessert. This Punjabi semolina halwa has a deliciously buttery flavour. And, to fill any gaps, nankhatai a shortbread-like biscuit makes a marvellous match with masala chai.

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