Why is Diwali called the festival of money?

Why is Diwali called the festival of money?

, 9 min reading time

Why is Diwali called the festival of money?

Diwali, the festival of money, is considered the frstival wherein you worship Goddess Lakshmi for happiness, wealth, success and prosperity in your life. Know more and how here.

Why is Diwali called the festival of money?

Diwali, often called the festival of lights, is one of the most vibrant and widely celebrated festivals in India. Streets twinkle with lamps, homes are cleaned and decorated, families gather together, and the air is filled with joy, sweets and laughter. But beyond the lights and celebrations, there is a deeper connection that many might overlook as Diwali is also known as the festival of money. 

This isn’t just about the coins in our wallets or gold in our jewelry boxes as it’s about prosperity, abundance and the hope of a better future. From ancient traditions of worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, to the modern practices of shopping, gifting and investing, money and Diwali have always shared a special bond. Understanding why this festival is linked to wealth gives us a fascinating glimpse into how culture, faith and economy beautifully come together in one of India’s most beloved celebrations.


Why is Diwali called the festival of money?

Diwali, widely known as the festival of lights, is often called the festival of money because of its deep connection with wealth, prosperity and financial well-being. Central to this belief is Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu deity of wealth, fortune and abundance. According to tradition, she visits homes that are clean, bright and welcoming, bringing prosperity to those who honor her with devotion. 

During Diwali, people thoroughly clean their homes, decorate them with lamps, and perform rituals to invite her blessings. This symbolic act of preparing one’s space for positivity is not just a spiritual practice but also reflects a cultural emphasis on attracting prosperity and success in life. 

The economic and social customs of Diwali further reinforce its identity as the festival of money. Historically, traders and business families in India would close their old accounts and open new ones during this period, performing prayers to ensure prosperity for the coming year. Even today, people buy new clothes, jewelry, sweets and gifts, while exchanging money as a token of good fortune, reinforcing the idea of wealth circulation. Markets flourish, small businesses thrive and the entire economy gets a festive boost during Diwali

Beyond material wealth, however, the festival also symbolizes abundance in life, relationships and happiness, reminding us that prosperity is as much about joy and harmony as it is about money. Thus, Diwali celebrates both the tangible and intangible aspects of wealth, making the title “festival of money” meaningful in multiple ways.


Why is Diwali considered as payday?

Diwali is often considered a “payday” because, traditionally, it marks the end of the financial year for many businesses and traders in India. For centuries, merchants would close their accounts, settle debts and take stock of their earnings before the festival. This ritual wasn’t just about bookkeeping as it symbolized a fresh start, where one could leave behind past losses and begin anew with hope and optimism. 

Salaried employees also saw Diwali as a time when bonuses, incentives or extra earnings were handed out, making it feel like a reward for the year’s hard work. In essence, Diwali became a period when money flows into homes, both as recognition of effort and as a blessing for future prosperity.

Beyond formal financial transactions, Diwali as a “payday” also reflects the cultural practice of exchanging gifts and monetary offerings. Families often give Diwali bonuses, cash gifts to children or employees and special allowances for buying festive clothes and sweets. This circulation of money strengthens social bonds while symbolizing wealth and abundance. Markets bustle with activity, from jewelry purchases to new appliances, turning the festival into a time of financial renewal and generosity. 

In this way, Diwali isn’t just a spiritual or cultural celebration as it becomes a moment when money is earned, shared and celebrated, giving people a tangible sense of reward and financial well-being.

 

Why is Diwali considered as the Trader’s New Year?

Diwali is considered the Trader’s New Year primarily because of its historical and cultural significance in the business community. For centuries, merchants and traders in India have marked this festival as the beginning of a new financial cycle. Traditionally, Diwali coincided with the end of the harvest season, which was also the time to settle accounts, clear debts and reconcile business books. 

Traders would close their old ledgers, take stock of their profits and losses, and start fresh with new accounts in what is called the Chopda Pujan ceremony. This practice was not just a financial ritual but also a spiritual one, as merchants prayed to Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, to bless their new ventures with prosperity and safeguard them from losses in the coming year. In this way, Diwali became a symbolic starting point for new opportunities, growth and financial planning for traders.

Beyond bookkeeping, Diwali represents a time of renewal and optimism for businesses. It’s considered an auspicious period to launch new ventures, invest in stocks or expand trade, as it is believed that ventures started during this time are blessed with success and good fortune. Shops, offices and markets are cleaned, decorated with lights and energized with positive energy, creating an environment that attracts wealth and prosperity. 

The festival also encourages networking, gift-giving, and community engagement, which indirectly helps trade and commerce. Thus, Diwali is not only a celebration of lights and victory but also a culturally ingrained financial milestone that traders look forward to every year, making it their own New Year filled with hope, planning and prosperity.

 

Why is Diwali considered as the interplay of the gold, the gifts and the gambling?

Diwali is often seen as the interplay of gold, gifts and gambling because these elements have been deeply woven into the cultural and traditional fabric of the festival over centuries. Gold, in particular, symbolizes wealth, security and prosperity. During Diwali, buying gold or silver is considered highly auspicious, as it is believed to attract the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth. 

Families invest in gold not only as a financial asset but also as a token of good fortune, marking the festival as a time when material prosperity and spiritual well-being come together. Similarly, exchanging gifts as ranging from sweets to decorative items and money as it reinforces bonds of love, generosity and goodwill. These gestures of giving and receiving reflect a deeper understanding of wealth, showing that prosperity is not just personal but also communal, shared among family, friends and society.

Gambling, surprisingly, has also been associated with Diwali in traditional lore, particularly through a game of dice. This practice is believed to honor the legend of Goddess Lakshmi and King Bali, where playing cards or dice symbolizes taking risks and trusting fortune. Historically, business communities also saw this as a way to invite luck and prosperity for the coming year, making a little gamble a ritualistic part of the celebrations.

Far from being reckless, this form of gambling represents hope, courage  and the playful side of human nature, reminding people that fortune favors the bold. When combined, gold, gifts and gambling illustrate the multifaceted celebration of Diwali as a festival that not only illuminates homes but also celebrates prosperity, generosity and the unpredictable yet exciting dance of luck and wealth in life.

 

What is the real wealth of Diwali?

While Diwali is often celebrated with a focus on money, gifts, and sparkling decorations, the true wealth of the festival goes far beyond material possessions. The real richness of Diwali lies in the warmth of relationships and the joy of togetherness. It is the laughter shared with family during festive meals, the heartfelt conversations with loved ones and the simple happiness of lighting a lamp together that create memories far more valuable than any gold or currency. 

This festival reminds us that prosperity is not only measured by what we own but also by the love, harmony, and respect we cultivate in our lives. When homes glow with lamps and hearts glow with gratitude, that is the kind of wealth that endures, long after the sweets are eaten and the fireworks fade.

Another layer of Diwali’s true wealth is the sense of inner fulfillment and positivity it encourages. Cleaning homes, decorating spaces and performing prayers are not just rituals as they are acts of mindfulness and reflection. By creating a clean and vibrant environment, individuals invite not only divine blessings but also mental clarity and emotional peace. This inner abundance, the feeling of contentment and spiritual balance, is a kind of wealth that money cannot buy. 

Diwali, at its core, teaches that prosperity is as much about nurturing the mind and soul as it is about material gain. The festival is a celebration of gratitude, generosity and joy, showing us that the richest people are those who carry light, love and hope in their hearts.

So this Diwali, when you see the glitter of gold or hear the clink of coins in a friendly card game, see it for what it truly is: a joyful, age-old and deeply human celebration of abundance in all its glorious forms. The real fortune lies not in what we acquire but in what we already have and choose to share. And that is a wealth no one can put a price on.

 

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