The festive vibes are in the air as South Asians rejoice in the glory of the most significant Hindu festival – Diwali. Canada is home to many South Asian communities, and the tally seems to proliferate in the coming years. That being said, Canada, as a multicultural nation, now celebrates some major cultural festivals that are popular worldwide, and Diwali is one of them.

Diwali in Canada is celebrated with the same zeal and fervor as it is in India and other parts of the world by different South Asian communities. This Diwali will be extra special as Canada’s lower house has recently proclaimed November as “Hindu Heritage Month.”

When is Diwali 2022?

The long wait is finally over, as the year’s biggest celebratory Hindu festival is due next week. Diwali will be celebrated on October 24th everywhere around the world.

Diwali – The Biggest South Asian Festival

The scintillating lights, earthen lamps, candles, sweet smell of homemade cookies, family union, the tradition of exchanging gifts, dazzling fireworks and the welcoming winter breeze; all these elements paint a perfect picture of a delightful Diwali celebration. Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is the most significant religious festival celebrated mainly by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs globally. Hindus worship Goddess Laxmi on this day and pray for the blissful and prosperous life of their loved ones.

Why is Diwali Celebrated?

Diwali, a five-day celebration, commemorates Lord Rama’s return to his home after a lengthy 14-year exile with Sita and Laxmana. The festival also marks the victory of good over evil as Lord Rama defeated Ravana.

A grand celebration marked Lord Rama’s homecoming, diyas (earthen lamp) were lit for the first time, and the whole village was enchanted. Diwali is a Sanskrit word that means row of lights. The illuminating Diya is believed to eliminate negativity in life and help individuals to begin things on a positive note.

How is Diwali Celebrated in Canada and the World?

Diwali is celebrated differently in distinct parts of India. Each state and region has its own tradition and style of celebrating this festival. The Diwali preparation starts one month before the festival arrives because it is considered the biggest South Asian festival of all the Hindu festivals. People clean their homes, buy new clothes for the main day, share presents, purchase jewelry/ electronic items, burn crackers, prepare special cuisines, decorate homes with led lights, light diyas & candles and worship goddess Laxmi. Streets and markets become fully crowded during Diwali. Small vendors sell Diwali items and earn a good profit.

Diwali is an auspicious time of joy, celebration, and camaraderie for Indians in other countries. The event is on a big scale throughout the nation and in countries with many South Asian communities like Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Singapore, Myanmar, Indonesia, Britain, Malaysia, Thailand, Guyana, Japan, Fiji, Trinidad & Tobago, Africa, and Australia.

Diwali Celebration in Toronto (Canada)

The dazzling Diwali celebration in Canada fascinates plenty of media and public interest. Community groups, businesses, and schools organize significant events, carnivals and gatherings and fireworks shows. Many Diwali festivals exhibit cultural dance performances, street lighting, and plays. Special Events like Niagara Falls fireworks and Razmataz are an absolute delight to soak in all the festive vibes. Not to mention, the henna (Mehendi) is also a popular trend around this time

Canada has always held high regard for all the important festivals celebrated worldwide. One will actually get to see the rich cultural diversity here. The country keeps its people moving and gives a home-like feeling to immigrants by holding spectacular cultural events for different communities.

In order to keep the festive spirit high, various communities have organized majestic events to create a lively and sparkling atmosphere.

Here is what Diwali in Canada (Toronto) 2022 will be like. We have accumulated a list of events you can’t miss. Tap on the link to know more!

1. Diwali Mela 2022 – The festival of Lights
2. Sparkling Diwali Mela
3. BiC Diwali Milan 2022
4. Diwali Night 2022
5. Diwali Dhamaka Mela Fest
6. Diwali Night
7. Diwali Gala Night 2
8. Diwali Festival 2022
9. Diwali Cruise
10. Canada Diwali Niagara Falls

Five days of Diwali

Diwali is not just a festival; it is a celebration of good moments and new beginnings that goes beyond culture and religion, encompassing all the communities. Diwali festival takes place for five consecutive days, or we can say the celebration lasts a week.

Day 1st- Dhanteras (October 22, 2022)

The glittering Diwali celebrations officially begin on Dhanteras, which is the first day of Diwali week. This day is considered auspicious to buy metal items such as gold/silver.

Day 2nd- Choti Diwali (October 23, 2022)

Narak Chaturdashi, also famous by the name Choti Diwali, is a celebration observed in some regions of India on the second day. As per Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Krishna engaged in combat with the demon Narakasura and slew him.

Day 3rd- Main Diwali (October 24, 2022)

The main celebration occurs on the third day of the week. This day Lord Rama killed the demon Ravana and returned to his native place. Furthermore, the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, is welcomed by all the devotees as she is thought to bestow luck and prosperity.

Day 4th- Vishwakarma Day After Diwali (October 25, 2022)

Govardhan Puja comes just after the main Diwali day, and people worship Lord Krishna on this day.

Day 5th- Bhai Dooj (October 26, 2022)

The last day of the Diwali celebration is Bhai Dooj, an occasion honoring the unique relationship between brothers and sisters.

Food Delights You Can Binge on!

Kaju Barfi

Kaju Barfis make for a perfect Diwali sweet, and the celebration is incomplete without them. They are often given as gifts to families and friends as a token of love and happiness.

Chakli

Chakli, a crispy snack prepared with rice flour and deep fried, is a popular south Indian food item eaten during Diwali.

Coconut Barfi

A delectable treat made from khoya, sugar, ghee, and fresh coconut flakes. A go-to sweet for the Diwali celebrations.

Samosa

This popular snack needs no introduction. Samosa is a staple food that adds flavors of happiness to any celebration, be it Diwali or any other festivities.

Namakpare

The complimentary snack item with a cup of hot tea is Namakpare! This crunchy and salty snack is ideal for balancing your taste if you’ve had your share of sweets this holiday season.

Hindu Temples to visit during Diwali in Toronto Canada

1. BAPS ShriSwami Narayan Mandir (Toronto)
2. Shri Vitthal Mandir (Ontario)
3. Devi Mandir (Ontario)
4. Hare Krishna Temple (Toronto)
5. ISKCON Temple (Brampton)
6. Vaishno Devi Temple (Oakville)
7. Hindu Sabha Temple (Brampton)
8. Hindu Temple (Ottawa)
9. Vishnu Mandir (Richmond hill)
10. Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

Time to Connect With a Multicultural Audience!

South Asian families are large in size, and due to the fact that festivals like Diwali are auspicious times to purchase for the home, spending goes up on groceries, clothing, gifts, and expensive household products. This is a high time when brands can outshine by taking part in this celebration by giving exclusive offers and deals on their products to connect and resonate with their audience. This step can redefine your brand, increase awareness, and bring you closer to the south Asian community.

It’s critical for marketers to integrate their brand promise with the Diwali theme and cultural subtleties. By doing this, you can demonstrate to your ethnic consumers that you are aware of the significance of their event. The little Diwali elements like the symbols, design and in-language messaging add a personal touch, credibility, and authenticity to your message.

If multicultural marketing is something that intrigues you, DV8 can help you understand it in depth and get started. If you have got any questions, write to us at info@dv8communication.com

Stay tuned with us for the new census release!