Diwali

American  

[dih-wah-lee, ‐-vah‐, duh‐] / dɪˈwɑ li, ‐ˈvɑ‐, də‐ /

Also Divali,

noun

1. the Hindu festival of lights, celebrated as a religious holiday throughout India, falling between mid-October and mid-November.

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Diwali British  

/ dɪˈwɑːlɪ /

noun

1. a major Hindu religious festival, honouring Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Held over the New Year according to the Vikrama calendar, it is marked by feasting, gifts, and the lighting of lamps

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Usage

What is Diwali? Diwali is a major Hindu festival popularly called the “festival of lights.” Generally, Diwali is often considered a celebration of the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.The festival commemorates different specific things in different places and among different communities. It is often associated with the goddess Lakshmi or with Rama (an avatar of the god Vishnu). For some Hindus, Diwali marks the start of the New Year.Diwali is also celebrated by some Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, though they may interpret and observe it differently.Diwali is a five-day festival, but its third day is typically observed as the main celebration.Diwali is pronounced dih-WAH-lee or dih-VAH-lee and can also be spelled Divali and Dewali. Other variants include Deepavali and Deepawali.

Example Sentences

Around last October’s Diwali festival, an annual holiday accompanied by vigorous shopping, Modi urged people to buy local goods and to share their purchases on social media to inspire others.

From The Wall Street Journal

New state holiday: Diwali, also known as the “Festival of Lights,” has been added to California’s official list of statewide holidays.

From Los Angeles Times

Diwali typically occurs in late October or early November and is celebrated by members of the Hindu, Sikh and Jain faiths.

From Los Angeles Times

Patel too, got it, after posting a message on Diwali, a religious holiday that celebrates the victory of light over darkness.

From Los Angeles Times

The city prioritizes adaptive recreation programs; hosts celebrations to honor Lunar New Year, Juneteenth and Diwali; and has an International Festival that recognizes the city’s diverse residents.

From MarketWatch