Happy Diwali
This year, Diwali - the five-day Festival of Lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world - will be celebrated on Sunday 27 October.
The date of the festival actually varies from year to year. In 2018, Diwali fell on 7 November and in 2020 it will take place on 14 November.
Diwali is a five-day event and runs two days before and after the main night. That means people who observe Diwali will begin celebrating on Friday 25 October until Tuesday 29 October.
One of the most significant festivals in Indian culture, Diwali coincides with the Hindu New Year and celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.
How is Diwali celebrated?
The festival is marked by large firework displays to remember the celebrations which, according to legend, took place upon Lord Rama and his wife Sita's return to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BCE.
Those celebrating the festival also light traditional earthen diyas (candles) and decorate their houses with colourful rangoli artworks - patterns created on the floor using coloured rice or powder. During Diwali, families and friends share sweets and gifts and there is also a strong belief in giving food and goods to those in need. It is also traditional for homes to be cleaned and new clothes to be worn.
Giving a card to colleagues is a great way to say thank you or to celebrate birthdays and other events and festivals such as Diwali
The new Appreciate site offers a wider range of celebration cards and a new 'pick and mix' feature, which allows you to order a variety of different cards in one pack.
If you have colleagues in your team who celebrate Diwali, why not send them a Happy Diwali card from our Appreciate site?
The site offers a wide range of cards to celebrate birthdays and other events and festivals, as well as a chance to simply say thank you. There is also a 'pick and mix' feature, which allows you to order a variety of different cards in one pack. They offer a great way to recognise hard-working colleagues and ensure that they feel valued and appreciated.
