Global Festivals: Celebrating Diwali Across the Globe

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals globally, with communities around the world participating in the festivities. This article explores the diverse ways in which Diwali is celebrated in different countries, highlighting its cultural significance and integration into the local traditions.

Global Reach of Diwali

The celebration of Diwali is more than just a religious event; it is a deeply cultural and communal experience. Countries such as Australia, Canada, Fiji, Guyana, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, and the United States have adopted Diwali as a shared cultural festival, inviting people from different backgrounds to participate in its vibrant traditions.

Australia

In Australia, the city of Brisbane hosts an annual Diwali festival, featuring cultural performances, art displays, and traditional dances. The capital, Melbourne, also celebrates Diwali with spectacular fireworks over the Yarra River, making it a memorable event for locals and visitors alike.

Bhutan

Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, shares cultural ties with India and celebrates Diwali with enthusiasm. The festival is marked by traditional exchanges of sweets, visits to friends and relatives, and the lighting of homes.

Canada

Canada, with a large Indian population, celebrates Diwali in numerous cities and towns. Participants wear new clothes, partake in traditional worship, and exchange sweets with family and friends.

Fiji

Fiji, home to a significant Indo-Fijian community, celebrates Diwali with great fervor. The festival is marked by fireworks, parties, and the exchange of sweets, reflecting the spirit of communal harmony.

Guyana

In Guyana, Diwali has historical significance dating back to 1853 when indentured workers from India first arrived. The festival is celebrated with exchanges of gifts, traditional customs, and the lighting of oil lamps.

Indonesia

Indonesia, with its predominantly Muslim population, celebrates Diwali by lighting houses and exchanging sweets. Although the majority is Muslim, the Hindu population especially in Bali has strong traditions of celebrating the festival.

Malaysia

Malaysia celebrates Diwali as "Hari Diwali," with traditions that vary from those of India. People light oil lamps, offer prayers, and exchange sweets and gifts, but the sale of fireworks is restricted to maintain public safety.

Mauritius

Mauritius, with almost half of its population being Hindu, celebrates Diwali with great joy. The festival is marked by the lighting of oil lamps, worship of the goddess of wealth, and the exchange of sweets in the evening.

Myanmar

Myanmar celebrates Diwali with great enthusiasm, reflecting the cultural ties with India. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by the illumination of homes and the lighting of lamps.

Nepal

Also known as Tihar in Nepal, Diwali is celebrated with great fervor. The festival includes exchanges of gifts, decoration of homes with lights, and worship of Goddess Lakshmi, marking Nepal's second biggest festival after Dashain.

Pakistan

In Pakistan, Diwali is celebrated by Sikhs and Hindus. While it was once a national holiday, it was later canceled and declared an optional holiday. However, starting from 2016, it has been reinstated as a National Holiday.

Singapore

Singapore, with its large Indian population, celebrates Diwali with great enthusiasm. The Serangoon Road area is known as Mini India, where thousands come to celebrate together, lighting homes and exchanging sweets.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, particularly the Tamil community, celebrates Diwali with much fervor. Fireworks, large meals, family reunions, and cultural activities are traditional parts of the celebration.

Suriname

Suriname celebrates Diwali with passion, though with some variations compared to India. The country has a significant Hindu population, making Diwali a major event.

Thailand

Diwali in Thailand, known as Lam Kriyongh, is celebrated on the full moon day of the 12th month of the Thai calendar. The festival features extravagant fireworks and the floating of oil lamps on rivers, creating a magical atmosphere.

Trinidad and Tobago

In Trinidad and Tobago, Diwali is a national celebration marked by traditional Hindu rituals and community events. The festival is celebrated with great zeal across the island for several weeks.

United Kingdom

Diwali in the UK is celebrated with enthusiasm, particularly in cities like Leicester, which hosts a grand celebration. It is a time for spring cleaning, wearing new clothes, and decorating homes with lights.

United States

The U.S. celebrates Diwali with cultural pride, especially in cities like Washington DC and Chicago. The festival is marked by vibrant celebrations, but firecrackers are subject to import restrictions to ensure public safety.