When is Diwali 2020 and how is it celebrated?

DIWALI is the annual Hindu festival of light as it celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists also take part in the festivities, but 2020 has meant celebrations have been reduced to largely within families, rather than among entire communities.

When is Diwali 2020?

In 2020, Diwali will be celebrated on Saturday, November 14.

The celebrations last five days in total, with the festival of lights enjoyed by millions around the world.

The date of the festival is calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar calendar and is usually in October or November.

Dhanteras – or Dhana Trayodashi – marks the first day of Diwali.

How will Diwali be celebrated in 2020?

The festival is usually marked with dancing, food and fireworks.

There are usually many events held across the UK but this year they have either been cancelled or significantly reduced due to coronavirus.

This year celebrations will need to adhere to social distancing guidelines and public celebrations will not take place.

Families will need to celebrate online and with fireworks in their own gardens.

In England and Wales you cannot meet people in a private garden, unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.

In Scotland, socialising outdoors depends on which tier you are in and meeting indoors is not allowed.

In London, celebrations usually take place in Trafalgar Square but they have been scrapped this year and a virtual celebration will take place at

Leicester has also cancelled its Diwali event, choosing instead to host an and turning the lights along the city’s golden mile on by an electronic timer.

What is the story of Diwali?

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is the Hindu Festival of Lights and is celebrated every year as the spiritual “victory of light over darkness”.

Diwali is observed exactly 20 days after the end of Navratri.

The night before Diwali is known as Narak Chaturdasi, and symbolises the day in which the Hindu demon Narakaasura died.

According to the story of Ramayana, Hindu God Lord Rama and his wife Sita returned to their kingdom in northern India after being exiled for 14 years following the defeat of demon king, Ravanna.

Ravana is said to have kidnapped Sita while in exile and Rama, who travelled with his brother Laxman, fought for her eventually rescuing her from Ravana’s clutches.

Diwali marks the day that Rama triumphantly returns to the kingdom of Ayodhya with his wife.

The villagers welcomed their return with thousands of glowing oil lamps on a moonless night.

Now, Diwali is observed by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world and is often marked by street parties, fireworks, new clothes and of course, delicious food.

What is Rangoli?

Rangoli artworks are colourful patterns created on the floor using rice or powder.

Essentially they are decorations, but it is also believed that they bring good luck.

They often reflect traditions and folklore, and are traditionally done by girls or women.

Rangoli can also be simple geometric shapes, or designed at flower and petal shapes.

Because the designs use cheap materials available to anyone, they are prevalent in all homes, rich or poor, during Diwali.