The common thread between Christmas and Diwali is the festive spirit found in the air. These are major celebrations that are undertaken in vastly different regions of the globe.
The festivals of Diwali and Christmas are celebrated by people from varied walks of life and the cultures and values followed in their respective lifestyles.
Both festivals feature a heavy importance in the life of the people who celebrate them.
Key Takeaways
- Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, while Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Diwali is celebrated in October or November, while Christmas is celebrated on December 25th.
- Diwali is associated with lighting diyas, fireworks, and exchanging sweets, while Christmas is associated with gift-giving, Christmas trees, and attending religious services.
Diwali vs Christmas
The difference between Diwali and Christmas is that while people from the Indian subcontinent predominantly celebrate Diwali. On the other hand, Christmas fever affects the whole world, with a whopping forty-five percent of the entire population engaging in Christmas celebrations. The geography in which the respective festivals are celebrated defines the cultural and social composition of the people involved.
Diwali, popularly known as the festival of lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and select Buddhists in several countries such as India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Guyana, etc., many of which declare Diwali as a national holiday.
This vibrant festival lasts five entire days.
Christmas is considered the most famous festival across the world, with billions of people rooting around for their box of decorations, at the end of each year.
Celebrated on 25th December, Christmas is considered the date of Jesus Christ’s birth. This festival is considered a public holiday on several continents and holds the card for the most observed cultural and religious celebration.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Diwali | Christmas |
|---|---|---|
| History | The origin of Diwali is traced back to several Hindu gods and goddesses, with some theories being more popular than the others. | Christmas is celebrated all over the world to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem. |
| Date of Celebration | Diwali is celebrated twenty days after Dussehra[another Indian festival]. Therefore, the date of Diwali can vary anytime between October to November. | Though the precise date of Christ’s birth is unknown, the twenty-fifth of December has been decided as the day chosen to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. |
| Geography | Diwali is a significant festival in Indian culture that is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and select Buddhists all over the world. | Christmas is celebrated across the world by a majority of Christians, and a sizable portion of non-Christians. |
| Celebration | Known as the festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated by lighting lamps, seeing loved ones, and worshipping Hindu deities. | The ultimate festival, Christmas involves presents, food, holly wreaths, and the red-green adornment of the ritual Christmas trees. |
| Duration | The festival of Diwali ranges up to five days, filled with rangolis and fireworks marking the heavens and the floor. | The Christmas celebrations and the ensuing decorations begin mid-December while the linger of this season lasts long and strong. |
What is Diwali?
Diwali, the Indian festival of color is filled with vibrance, rangolis, diyas, fireworks, and gifts. Diwali is celebrated 20 days after Dussehra, between mid-October to mid-November, for a total of five days.
The term Diwali, derived from the Sanskrit word dīpāvali literally translates into a row or series of lights.
Symbolized for the defeat of darkness, it is celebrated for the day Goddess Lakshmi was born from Samudra Manthan, the churning of the cosmic ocean of milk by the gods and demons.
It is also celebrated for the successful return of Lord Rama from his exile. Diwali is also considered to be a fusion of harvest festivals from ancient India.
Several other theories exist for the cause of Diwali.
A unanimously celebrated festival, Diwali sees people dressed in their finest clothes, cleaning and decorating their homes, lighting diyas as a symbol of light, bursting fireworks in their show of joy,
meeting the near and dear, exchanging gifts, and worshipping.
The ritual of celebration begins by cleaning homes and workspaces on the first day, followed by Naraka Chaturdashi, which praises the victory of Lord Krishna over Narakasur.
Lakshmi Puja marks the third day of this festival, and Govardhan Puja is prayed on the fourth day. The fifth and final day is known as Vishwakarma Puja or the Bhai Dooj.
The third day, i.e. the day of Lakshmi Puja, is declared an official holiday in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Trinidad, and Tobago.
What is Christmas?
Christmas, also less popularly known as Noël, Nativity, and Xmas, is the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Since the accurate date of Lord Christ’s birth to John and Mary in Bethlehem could not be found,
the 25th of December had been decided by the church in the fourth century to honour this event as the 25th of December coincides with the winter solstice under the Roman calendar.
Considered to be the world’s most popular festival, Christmas is celebrated, counting down twelve days, with the Twelfth being Christmas.
The term Christmas is an abbreviation for Christ’s Mass. Christmas is also known by several other names, such as midwinter, Gēola, and Nātiuiteð, used in different parts of the world.
Jesus Christ is considered to be the son of God, who sacrificed his life for the sake of humanity, giving birth to the earth’s biggest culture, Christianity. Christmas is celebrated all over the world by Christians and several non-Christians.
This season of merry and joy is observed by exchanging gifts, an extensive feast, Christmas trees, carols, cakes, and lighted decorations. And Santa Claus,
the Father of Christmas who is tasked with providing children gifts far and wide. Christmas follows a twelve-day celebration, with Boxing Day observed on the 26th of December.
Main Differences Between Diwali and Christmas
- Diwali is celebrated for five days between mid-October and mid-November. Christmas is celebrated for twelve days, the last being the 25th of December.
- Majorly celebrated by Indians across the world, Diwali is a pivotal festival in Indian culture. Over forty-five percent of the world’s population engages in Christmas celebrations, making it the most famous festival. Both festivals are declared public holidays in several countries.
- Diwali honours the victory of Hindu deities over darkness, praising Lord Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Kali, and Lord Rama. Christmas is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Diwali is traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, originating from the subcontinent of India. Christians and several non-Christians celebrate Christmas.
- Both festivals follow the tradition of exchanging gifts and preparing elaborate feasts. Lighting lamps and fireworks celebrate Diwali, and Christmas sees decorations illuminating the households.
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09575140903562387
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=__AQoEuClQgC&oi=fnd&pg=PA5&dq=diwali+history&ots=nEck1825OK&sig=PHGxwI5pLIYtfUao6nGFPFx0aSQ
- https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=DqmlzjMYMRAC&oi=fnd&pg=PP11&dq=christmas+history&ots=qDC8L6ViAF&sig=ejAkgmjKYLNNkGzfvfRbcNjcgFc
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This article is highly informative and offers a perfect opportunity to understand these two important festivals.
Comparing Diwali and Christmas might not be the best idea, these are two entirely different festivals from different religions and cultures.
Religion and culture are significant factors to consider when discussing these two festivals.
The history of both Diwali and Christmas is insightful, it’s reasonable to acknowledge both festivals.
The comparison table is very detailed, but still remains respectful of the importance of both festivities.
Exactly, this article provides a thorough, well thought-out comparison, without undermining the significance of each festival.
The in-depth description of each festival is informative and enriches the knowledge.
This article is very well written, offering a deep insight into Diwali and Christmas. A thoughtful comparison.
This article is well written but the comparison between Christmas and Diwali isn’t necessary, these are two vastly changes cultures and religions, and both celebrations are unique on their own.
Considering the vast cultural and religious differences, there may be a minimal comparison. But I agree that both celebrations are unique in their own right.
Both celebrations have a rich history and meaning behind them, and must be respected for that alone.