Diwali isn’t just a ‘Hindu’ festival — Here are 5 lesser known reasons behind the celebration of India’s festival of lights

(wikimedia.org)

People who believe in Jainism have a quieter way of enjoying Diwali. They actually restrict themselves from using fireworks, which is in stark contrast to the way the rest of India celebrates the occasion.

For them Diwali is when the founder of modern Jainism, Mahavir Tirthankar, reached ‘nirvana’ -- the highest state of enlightenment that someone can can attain.

(sikhrelief.org)

Sikh people celebrate ‘Bandi Chorr Divas’ which means ‘Prisoner release day’ on the same day as Diwali. The Sikh community pays tribute to their Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, who was released from Mughal prison in 1619.The amalgamation of Diwali and Prisoner Release Day is a call for celebration throughout the Punjab region.

(wikimedia.org)

The significance of Diwali can also be attributed to agriculture. In some parts of India, it’s when the harvest season in ending whereas in other parts, such as Gujarat, its when the new crops are being harvested marking the beginning of a new season for farmers and traders.

(wikimedia.org)

Indian people celebrate New Year’s eve on Diwali as per the Hindu calendar. Most Hindu businessmen worship Goddess of Wealth, Lakshmi, and treat the day as the beginning of a new financial year. They even mark the point in their account books and clear off old debts, where they start afresh.

In fact, according to the Hindu calendar, we are currently living in the year 2075.