Celebrating Diwali 2021 in Canada

Canada welcomes more than 300,000 immigrants from around the world every year who bring their traditions and cultures along with them. This contributes to making Canada one of the most diverse countries in the world! Many of Canada’s immigrants come from South Asia. And an exciting part of South Asian culture is Diwali. In 2021, Diwali celebrations begin on November 2 – 6th. November 4, or the third day of Diwali is called Lakshmi Puja. This is the most important of the five days, and also when the biggest Diwali celebrations occur.

What is Diwali?

Diwali is a 5-day festival that more than a billion people from around the world celebrate. Many ethnic groups celebrate the festival, but mainly people in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. As Canada accepts many immigrants from this part of the world, Diwali is one of the biggest religious holidays in Canada.

Even though other religions have different ideas of Diwali, the main idea is the same. Diwali celebrates the:

• victory of light over darkness

• good over evil, and

• knowledge over ignorance.

Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama after his victory over demons.

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