Diwali is the collective name for activities that are celebrated on several days in a row, of which Maha-Divpali-parwa is the highlight. The different parts are:
- Kodjagriwrat, which means who stays awake all night.
- Dhanteres: this stands for birth of the Hindu god Dhanvantri, the founder of medicine.
- Narak-chatourdashi: on this day the god of the dead (Yam-dew, Dharm radj) is worshipped.
- Maha-Divpali-parwa: the day of Diwali itself, also called Maha Laxmi-mata poodjan.
- Govardhan pudjan: this is primarily a philosophical activity where people come together to reflect on the coming together of man, animal, and nature.
- Bhaja Dudj: this means brother and two.
Diwali is a festival where Hindus celebrate the role of women in the form of happiness, purity, wisdom, prosperity, and warmth. The role of women is essential to Hindus and is embodied in many guises. One of the feminine guises is the goddess Laxmi-mata, who is worshipped on Diwali. She has all the elements, happiness-purity-wisdom-prosperity-warmth, in her. Prior to all the rituals, the whole house needs to be cleaned, as the goddess is invited into the house. This is also important because Diwali is all about health, the enlightenment of mind and body. A tidy house is a tidy head. Hindus see their house and body as a temple.
Each part is marked by the lighting of one or more dia’s (an earthenware pot with clarified butter) and vegetarian food, music, dance, and song. Instruments, made from natural materials (wood, leather), are played and songs are sung about the past and how it fits into the present.
Before the great day of Diwali (Maha-Divpali-parwa), festivals are held in major cities to gather and celebrate Diwali. Here, artists perform old and new songs and dances.
During the festival, people wish each other 'Subh Diwali': I wish you much happiness and enlightenment.