Diwali/Deepavali in Canada

When did the Diwali/Deepavali in Canada start?

The first recorded date of Diwali/Deepavali in Canada being celebrated on October 20 was in the year 1994.

About Diwali/Deepavali in Canada Holiday

Diwali or Deepavali is an important religious holiday in Canada celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. To many, it is a time of joyous celebration and giving thanks for the past year's successes. The festival of Diwali/Deepavali comes with a spirit of optimism and hope for the new year.

Diwali/Deepavali in Canada is celebrated with great enthusiasm, much like in many other countries. During this holiday, people decorate their homes with colorful rangoli patterns, light lamps, exchange gifts, and wear new clothes. The night of Diwali/Deepavali is marked by fireworks indicates the joyous celebration of the festival. Families gather together to celebrate the wonderful evening with prayers, feasts, and exchanging sweets.

Diwali/Deepavali in Canada is a time for reflection and thanksgiving. It is a time for friends and family to come together and share in the joyous celebration of a much-loved festival. No matter what it's called, Diwali/Deepavali is an important annual holiday in Canada, and one that continues to bring together families, friends and communities.

Diwali/Deepavali in Canada

Diwali, or Deepavali, is one of the most important dates on the Hindu calendar and it marks the start of the Hindu New Year. In Canada, Diwali is celebrated by people of Hindu, Jain, and Sikh faith and is a special time of year for members of these communities. Each year, Diwali is celebrated with a combination of rituals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, and festivities, including lights, food, music, and dance.

History and Origin

Diwali has its roots in ancient India, with its origins tracing back thousands of years to the Vedic period. The exact history and how the festival is celebrated may vary from region in India, but is generally associated with the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. Traditionally, Diwali marks the final return of Lord Rama and Sita to their kingdom of Ayodhya after they overcame the Demon King Ravana.

In modern times, Diwali is celebrated for more than one reason in India and the festivities often vary from region to region. A common feature of modern day Diwali celebrations is the lighting of diyas, which forms the central theme of the festival. Diyas are small earthen vessels which are lit with a cotton wick soaked in oil. Hindus believed that Diwali, or Deepavali, should be celebrated to mark Lakshmi Puja and is considered to be a day of great veneration and piety. The festival is also celebrated in honor of Lord Vishnu and the momentous lure of the brothers of his consort Sita.

In Canada, the celebration of Diwali has grown exponentially over the past few decades as more immigrants from India, Jains, and Sikhs have made their homes in the country. It is celebrated throughout the nation, with many cities hosting their own unique festivities.

Significance and Meaning

Diwali is an important time of the year for many Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs and is celebrated annually with great enthusiasm. For many of these communities, Diwali marks a special time of inner reflection, home visits, and prosperity.

On a spiritual level, Diwali is regarded as the celebration of the victory of good over evil, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and brings new forms of hope and optimism. It’s a time for communities to come together and remember their faith and the stories of their gods and goddesses. It’s a time to forget differences and embrace the spirit of togetherness.

The focus on light during Diwali is used to symbolize goodness, life, and hope, as well as the illumination of knowledge and truth. The lighting of lamps, or diyas, is also said to encourage Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, to remain at home and bring prosperity and material well being for all.

Traditions and Celebrations

To celebrate Diwali in Canada, communities come together to perform various rituals in an attempt to ward off evil spirits. Traditional Pujas are performed during Diwali, which include prayers and offerings to gods. The Pujas also involve the exchange of gifts and sweets, which is a traditional Diwali custom.

On the eve of Diwali, devotional rituals are practiced in many homes, followed by loud fireworks displays. Houses are decorated with coloured rangoli designs as a symbol of joy and plenty. Inside the homes, Deepam lamps or diyas are also placed as offerings to God and for the departed souls. In some families, oil baths are taken before dawn on Diwali Day for spiritual purification.

The day is then followed by a vibrant Diwali mela or fair, where families come together to exchange gifts, take part in cultural events, and feast on various delicacies. People of all ages take delight in idyllic performances of music, games, and dance.

Geographical Spread

Diwali in Canada is celebrated throughout the country. The celebration is most prominent in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver as these cities host the biggest festivals with live performances, fireworks, and special markets with Indian and Pakistani goods. Edmonton similarly holds a large Diwali market as well as cultural events. In smaller cities like Calgary and Winnipeg, the celebration may be more toned down but still remains a vibrant cultural event.

The same principles of celebration and the reverence of the festival are observed throughout the nation, although, some regional variations may be seen in the way the festival is celebrated. For instance, in Toronto, the celebrations are mainly focused on the mela, food, and music, while in Montreal, a much more grand affair is organized.

Modern Day Observations

Today, Diwali in Canada has taken on a unique form. It is now celebrated by everyone regardless of their religious beliefs, and is even seen as a time for members of the community to come together and celebrate.

In recent years, the celebrations have become increasingly public, with huge fairs and festivals held in privately owned or public spaces. The Diwali Melas are filled with dancing, singing, music, food, and market stalls. And of course, fireworks displays take the festivities to the next level.

The festivities have also taken to the internet, with various websites and apps offering tips on celebrations and rituals. There are also large online social media communities dedicated to Diwali in Canada that allow users to share their experiences, stories, recipes, and photographs.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Diwali is the biggest and most awaited Hindu festival of the year in India.
• It is celebrated in honour of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.
• It is believed that lighting lamps around the house brings good luck.
• Diwali is usually celebrated for around five days.
• People typically buy new clothes to celebrate Diwali.
• Rangoli designs are an integral part of Diwali decorations in many regions in India.
• The exchange of sweets is an important part of Diwali celebrations in India.
• Fireworks, such as sparklers, are an important part of the Diwali experience for children.
• Diwali is observed on the Amavasya (no moon night) of the Hindu month of Kartik.
• Diwali is not just a Hindu festival, but it is also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs, who have their own interpretations of the festival.
• The day after Diwali is celebrated as Govardhan Puja, a day to honour the mountain that Lord Krishna lifted up in order to save his village from floods.
• Many families light up their homes with electric and traditional diyas, giving the impression of a city of lights.

Holiday Wishes

1. May this Diwali bring you bountiful prosperity and joy.
2. May all the success come your way this Diwali.
3. May you experience the joy emanating from the divine.
4. May all your worries go away with this festival of lights.
5. May the warmth of the diyas bring you and your family peace and happiness.

Holiday Messages

1. May the joy and love of Diwali fill your life with wonderful surprises.
2. Wishing you the blessings of happiness, prosperity, and peace.
3. Let’s together celebrate the light of Diwali and create a bright future.
4. Have fun with your family and friends to celebrate the festival of Diwali.
5. The festival of Diwali brings with it joy and light, and hope for a better tomorrow.

Holiday Quotes

1. “Wishing that this festival of lights brings you joy and prosperity.” — Unknown
2. “Light a lamp of love! Blast a chain of sorrow! Shoot a rocket of prosperity! Fire a flowerpot of happiness!” — Unknown
3. “May this festival of light be a sign of hope, peace and joy in your life.” — Unknown
4. “Diwali is the most sparkling Festival of Lights of India.” — Maithili Sharan Gupt
5. “May the festival of light encircle your life with joy and happiness. Succeed in whatever you do.” — Unknown

Other Popular Holiday Info

Today, Diwali is celebrated by people of many faiths from around the world and is an important part of multi-cultural Canada. It is a unique time of year for members of the Indian, Jain and Sikh communities, but is also enjoyed by many non-Hindu Canadians who may not understand the cultural or religious significance of the festival.

In many parts of the world, Diwali is celebrated as the Festival of Lights and it is widely acknowledged as a celebration of diversity and a marker of harmony amongst various faiths. The lighting of diyas in unison on Diwali night is said to be a symbol of this harmony and brings people closer. Over time, Diwali has come to represent a unifying force between people of all cultures and backgrounds.

Diwali in Canada is a time for reflection, appreciation, and celebration. It is a time to recognize the benefits of a peaceful and prosperous life and to come together to experience the joys of being with friends and family. The festival of Diwali also represents the colours of diversity, coexistence, and harmony, and it is an event that should be celebrated by all.