Diwali Around the World: Festival of Lights Celebrated Globally

Diwali Celebrations Around the World

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is a pan-Indian festival celebrated with immense enthusiasm and energy across the entire country. Its grand scale and significance are so profound that the festival is no longer confined to India alone; its joyous traditions have been embraced by communities around the globe. The passion and zeal of those who celebrate Diwali abroad are a testament to the festival's universal appeal.

This festival holds a unique and special place among all Hindu festivals due to its profound symbolism: the victory of good over evil. The vibrant celebrations, particularly the fireworks, are believed to have a deeper purpose-to drive away evil and darkness. The crackling sounds and brilliant light of the fireworks are not just for entertainment; they are seen as a way to destroy evil spirits and usher in a new era of positivity and light.

To honor this powerful message, Hindus worldwide engage in a variety of celebrations and feasts. The festival is observed in numerous countries, including Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Singapore, Africa, Australia, and Southern America. These communities spare no effort in making the celebrations as grand and meaningful as possible, incorporating traditional rituals and festive jubilations to honor their heritage and the universal message of Diwali.

People celebrating Diwali with diyas, rangoli, fireworks and cultural events in various countries

Diwali in India

Diwali is a magnificent five-day festival celebrated across India, a period of grandeur and deep tradition. The celebrations are a vibrant blend of ritual, creativity, and community spirit.

The festivities begin with the meticulous creation of multi-colored Rangoli designs at the entrance of homes. These intricate patterns, often made from colored powders or flower petals, are believed to welcome good fortune and prosperity. A central element of the festival is the performance of special puja ceremonies, where families come together to offer prayers and seek blessings from deities, particularly Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

To prepare for her arrival, homes are meticulously cleaned and decorated. A dazzling spectacle of light transforms the country as every home is adorned with colorful and sparkling lights and rows of traditional earthen lamps (diyas). These lights are not merely decorative; they symbolize the triumph of light over darkness and are lit to create a welcoming and auspicious environment for Goddess Lakshmi.

The celebrations are also a time for heartfelt connections. Families and friends engage in the joyful tradition of exchanging sweets and gifts, sharing the festive spirit and strengthening their bonds. The air is filled with the excitement of fireworks, which light up the night sky in a brilliant display of color and sound. The festival is also a significant time for shopping, with people buying new clothes, jewelry, and household items to mark the auspicious occasion. In every corner of the country, from bustling cities to quiet villages, the glow of dazzling lights and candles makes every home shine, truly capturing the essence of the Festival of Lights.

Diwali in United Kingdom

The Diwali celebrations in the United Kingdom are marked by a profound sense of zeal and cultural pride, mirroring the fervor seen in India. As part of the festivities, people in Britain engage in the traditional custom of a thorough cleansing of both themselves and their homes, a ritual that symbolizes purity and a fresh start. This is followed by dressing in new clothes and adorning their residences with a variety of festive decorations, including an array of fancy lights and garlands, to create a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

The city of Leicester holds a special place in the UK's Diwali celebrations, renowned for its spectacular and widely-attended festivities. The highlight of the city's celebration is the official switch-on ceremony of the Diwali lights, a grand event that draws in thousands of spectators. This ceremony marks the official start of the festival in Leicester and is a testament to the city's multicultural fabric and the strong presence of its Indian community. The grand scale of the event makes Leicester a focal point for Diwali celebrations in the country, attracting people from all walks of life to witness the stunning display of lights and to partake in the joyful atmosphere.

Diwali celebration in the UK featuring traditional Indian sweets, colorful rangoli, sparklers under decorative lights and bunting

Diwali in United States of America

Diwali celebrations in the USA are a vibrant and faithful reflection of the traditions observed in India. Indian-American communities ensure that the spirit of the festival is preserved by meticulously decorating their homes with traditional elements. Just as in India, houses are adorned with rows of earthen lamps (diyas), which cast a warm, festive glow. The celebrations are further enhanced by a spectacular display of sparkling electronic lights, transforming neighborhoods into a visual feast of color and light.

Another essential tradition brought to the USA is the creation of colorful rangoli designs, which are meticulously displayed at the entrance of every household. These intricate patterns not only serve as beautiful decorations but also symbolize a welcoming gesture for good fortune.

A key part of the celebration involves community engagement. As evening approaches, people gather at a nearby community hall, where a variety of cultural events are organized. These gatherings often feature lively music, dance performances, and other cultural programs that celebrate Indian heritage. The atmosphere is filled with excitement, and a highlight of the community celebration is the bursting of firecrackers, a tradition that adds to the festive energy.

During these gatherings, the sharing of food and gifts is a dominant ritual. Diwali sweets and snacks are distributed among the community members, allowing everyone to savor the festive flavors. The exchanging of gifts among friends and relatives is also a significant custom, symbolizing goodwill and strengthening social bonds, making the celebration a truly communal and joyful experience.

Diwali celebration in the USA with families dressed in traditional attire, enjoying sweets, lighting diyas and sparklers

Diwali in Australia

With an estimated population of over 100,000 Indians, a majority of whom are Hindus, Australia has embraced Diwali as a significant cultural event. The festival is no longer a private affair but a major celebration marked by large-scale public events, carnivals, and fairs.

The cities of Sydney and Melbourne are at the heart of these jubilant celebrations. The events are a vibrant showcase of Indian culture, drawing in not only the Indian community but also a diverse audience. Key attractions include spectacular fireworks displays that light up the night sky, creating a truly festive atmosphere. A staple of these celebrations is the array of food stalls, which offer a tantalizing selection of traditional Diwali sweets and delicacies for everyone to enjoy.

Adding to the cultural richness are musical performances that range from classical Indian music to popular Bollywood numbers, keeping the crowd entertained and engaged. A particularly unique and symbolic tradition observed in some Australian Diwali events is the burning of the effigy of Ravana, a ritual that signifies the triumph of good over evil, mirroring the traditions of Dussehra in India. These large-scale, well-organized events make Diwali a celebrated festival in Australia, bringing communities together to share in the joy and cultural heritage.

People celebrating Diwali near the Sydney Opera House with fireworks, rangoli, diyas, and traditional Indian clothing

Diwali in New Zealand

Auckland and Wellington sees the maximum funfair of Diwali celebrations in New Zealand, as the Asia New Zealand Foundation oversees it. These places also have the maximum concentration of Hindus. Celebrations are always on the weekends following the event. The programmes are marked with Indian performers and artists flown from India, and performances ranges from sand sculptures to classical dances to puppet shows.

Diwali in Mauritius

As per census about 63% population in Mauritius has Indian origins 80% of which are Hindus. Therefore, the celebration of Hindu festivals is a common sight in the land of Mauritius and the festival of Diwali serves as the prime of them. The festival of Diwali is thus celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama, after 14 years of exile. Much like India, earthen lamps are lit in rows, in Mauritius. Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and crackers are burst to ward off the evil spirits.

Diwali in Nepal

The festival of Diwali is known as 'Tihar' in Nepal and is thus celebrated for five days, in the month of October/November. On the first day of the celebrations, cows are worshipped and given offerings. On the second day, dogs are revered and offered special food. The third day celebration of Diwali in Nepal is quite similar to that in India, for the festival is celebrated with lights, lamps and social activities. On the fourth day of celebration, Yama, the Lord of Death, is worshipped and appeased. Whereas on the fifth and final day of the celebration, brothers and sisters meet and exchange gifts. Thus the customs and traditions observed in Nepal are quite dissimilar with that of India.

Diwali in Malaysia

While the Hindu community constitutes approximately 8% of Malaysia's population, Diwali holds significant cultural importance and is celebrated with great reverence. The festival is known locally as Hari Diwali and is recognized as a public holiday, symbolizing the universal theme of the triumph of good over evil.

The day begins with a traditional ritual known as the oil bath, which is considered a sacred cleansing. Following this, families perform prayers at their home altars and make a visit to the temple. During this time, temples are beautifully adorned with vibrant flowers and flickering oil lamps.

In some of the country's major cities, the festivities are amplified with lively parades and concerts, bringing together communities to celebrate. However, a key difference in Malaysia's celebration is the strict ban on the bursting of firecrackers, a measure that ensures the festivities are enjoyed in a safe and peaceful manner, while still preserving the joyful spirit of the occasion.

Diwali in Indonesia

The name Indonesia is derived from two Greek words: "Indos" meaning Indian and "Nesos" meaning islands. Thus it has well knitted connection with India and the Indians. Though the majority of Indonesia population follows Islam, however Hindus constituent about 2% of Indonesia's total population. Thus that does not mean that the land lags behind in the celebration of Diwali for it is celebrated with much pomp and gaiety. The island of Bali is mainly famous for the celebrations of Diwali, as the majority of the Indians are concentrated there. They celebrate the festival by following rituals that are native to India. The celebrations in the country are hence similar to that of India.

Diwali in Trinidad

Diwali celebrations in Trinidad are marked by the colorful display of fireworks. Since 1966, the festival is celebrated for nine days and culminated with a national holiday. Indian classical music performances, Hindu devotional song renditions, dance shows are organized during the festival. People clad themselves in ethnic Indian attire, to take part in the merrymaking.

Diwali in Singapore

Singapore is largely inhabited by wide number of Indian people. And Serangoon Road in Singapore is famous for Diwali its celebrations. This is the place where maximum people of Indian origin reside. During Diwali, the streets in Singapore are filled with families, who are busy shopping for the festival. The archways are decorated with flowers and garlands. Diyas are also lit. People visit Hindu temples in Singapore to offer prayers.

Diwali in Fiji

The customs of celebration is no different for the people of Fiji for Indo Fijian community just like the Indian community decorate their homes with flashing lights. Apart from Hindus in the island nation, non-Hindus also take part in the festivities. Apart from bursting crackers, children also actively take part in various extracurricular activities held in their schools. Various sweets and fireworks are exchanged amongst each other which mark as a sign of merrymaking. The diyas, candles and electric lights are lit in the evening. The celebrations are culminated by feasting.