Everything You Need to Know About Diwali

A Guide to One Of The World’s Most Colorful Celebrations

In India and Hindu cultures, Diwali is the celebration of the new year and the triumph of good divine forces over evil. More than a billion people in the world celebrate Diwali throughout the Indian subcontinent and beyond. 

Like so many cultures’ new years’ festivals, Diwali falls according to the lunar calendar – this year, it happens on November 4. Diwali celebrations last for five days, an entire new moon period, and represent the most significant cultural celebrations that take place all year in India. While Diwali is primarily a Hindu holiday, other religious groups in India observe the festivities, including Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. 

Because so many religious communities observe Diwali, there are many ways to interpret the meaning of the mythology and legends that gave way to the new year. However, liberation from harm – either political or spiritual - is a common theme that unites diverse Diwali stories. 

Because most Diwali lore features a mythological figure triumphing over evil, it is often referred to as a festival of lights. Public celebrations are dotted with thousands of candles, and people in India decorate their homes with lights. Vendors sell fireworks on every corner, and at night, the skies of India light up with brightly colored fireworks. Families spend several days celebrating together, giving gifts, and enjoying meals. Many cities in India host street parties and parades. Flowers are an essential ingredient in Diwali celebrations, where enormous geometric designs of bright flowers fill floors, courtyards, and sidewalks like a carpet. These designs are called Rangoli and are found in homes, towns, and public spaces alike throughout the Diwali festivities.

At Allen’s Flower Market, we love the idea of making Rangoli as a family activity this Diwali. Rangoli-making is a beloved craft activity in Indian culture, much like making paper flowers for Day of the Dead or cutting out snowflakes during the winter holidays. All you need to make Rangoli is tracing paper, a Rangoli design to trace, and some flowers. Chrysanthemums, carnations, and orchids are popular choices for Rangoli – but any flower can be used! Diwali leans toward bright, warm hues like orange, red, yellow, and purple. Have fun placing flowers within designs working with whole flowers or, more traditionally, with petals. You can leave flowers gently clustered in your designs or paste them down with contact paper to keep them in place. 

 If you know someone who comes from India or who celebrates Diwali, consider sending flowers to show that you’re thinking of them and wish them a joyful new year. Our Simple Perfection bouquet features pale pink carnations – a Diwali favorite – nestled among tiger lilies, daisies, gladiolas, and more. Mayflower is another celebratory favorite, with asters, snapdragons, hot pink roses, and carnations arranged artfully in a picnic-like basket. For a more modern look, consider Orchid Grotto, an elegant joining of purple orchids with lush purple and white petals and foliage. 

At Allen’s Flower Market, we are committed to offering high-quality, fresh flowers for all of life’s many celebrations. We offer same-day, easy delivery and also welcome custom ideas to create the perfect bouquet for you. If you want to see and smell our arrangements in person or find the perfect Diwali petals for your family, stop by our floral design stores in Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Fernando Valley, or Sunland.