When autumn arrives and darkness comes earlier each evening, millions of people across the globe prepare to celebrate light's triumph over darkness. Diwali—also known as Deepavali—transforms homes, temples, streets, and entire cities into glowing celebrations that illuminate not just physical spaces but also the human spirit. What began as an ancient Hindu festival in the Indian subcontinent has evolved into a global celebration embraced by diverse communities, adapted to different cultures, and recognized in countries far from its origins.
This is the story of how Diwali has traveled from its roots to become one of the world's most widely celebrated festivals, how different communities interpret and observe it, and how a 2,500-year-old tradition continues to evolve while maintaining its essential message—that light, goodness, and knowledge will ultimately prevail over darkness, evil, and ignorance.
The Many Stories of Diwali
Understanding Diwali's global spread requires first understanding that even within India, Diwali isn't a single, unified celebration with one meaning. Different regions and religious communities celebrate Diwali for different reasons, though all involve lights, family gatherings, feasting, and new beginnings.
For most North Indians, Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and his victory over the demon king Ravana. Residents of Ayodhya lit oil lamps to welcome their rightful king home, creating the tradition of lighting diyas (oil lamps) that defines Diwali.
In South India, particularly among Tamils, Diwali commemorates Lord Krishna's victory over the demon Narakasura, who had terrorized the heavens and earth. The demon's death freed thousands of imprisoned people, and celebrations mark this liberation.
In Western India, particularly Gujarat, Diwali marks the new year and honors Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Business communities close their account books and start fresh ledgers, seeking Lakshmi's blessings for the coming year.
Jains celebrate Diwali as the day when Lord Mahavira, the last Tirthankara (spiritual teacher), achieved nirvana (final liberation). This spiritual dimension emphasizes enlightenment over the more materialistic aspects that have come to dominate contemporary celebrations.
Sikhs observe Diwali as Bandi Chhor Divas, commemorating Guru Hargobind Ji's release from imprisonment along with 52 other kings. For Sikhs, the festival celebrates liberation, justice, and the courage to stand against tyranny.
Buddhists in some regions celebrate Diwali as the day Emperor Ashoka converted to Buddhism, though this is less universal than the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh observances.
This multiplicity of meanings within the subcontinent itself has perhaps made Diwali more adaptable as it has spread globally—it's always been a festival with many narratives, making it easier to embrace additional cultural interpretations.
India: The Diwali Epicenter
In India, Diwali remains the most important festival of the year, cutting across regional, linguistic, and increasingly even religious boundaries. The preparation begins weeks in advance—homes are cleaned, painted, and decorated; new clothes are purchased; special sweets are prepared or ordered; and the markets overflow with lights, rangoli (decorative patterns) materials, diyas, candles, and fireworks.
The celebrations typically span five days, each with its own significance. Dhanteras opens the festival, dedicated to wealth and prosperity, when people buy gold, silver, utensils, or other new items. Naraka Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali follows, marking preliminary celebrations. The third day, Diwali itself, is the main event—homes are illuminated with countless diyas and electric lights, Lakshmi puja (worship) is performed, families gather for elaborate meals, and fireworks light up the night sky.
The fourth day has different names and meanings in different regions—Govardhan Puja in North India, when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan mountain; or Padwa/Varsha Pratipada marking the new year. The fifth day, Bhai Dooj, celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters.
In recent years, India has grappled with Diwali's environmental impact. The massive fireworks displays that have become central to celebrations create severe air pollution, particularly problematic in cities like Delhi where air quality already reaches hazardous levels. Court orders limiting fireworks, promotion of "green Diwali" with eco-friendly celebrations, and growing awareness have begun changing practices, though tradition and commercial interests resist change.
Despite these challenges, Diwali remains unmatched in its ability to unite India's diverse population in shared celebration—a festival that truly belongs to everyone.
Nepal: Tihar, the Festival of Five Days
In Nepal, Diwali is celebrated as Tihar or Swanti, a five-day festival that incorporates unique Nepali traditions while sharing Diwali's core themes of light and renewal.
What makes Tihar distinctive is its celebration of different animals on successive days, reflecting Nepal's cultural reverence for all creatures. The first day, Kaag Tihar, honors crows—considered messengers of death in Hindu tradition—with offerings of food. The second day, Kukur Tihar, celebrates dogs, adorning them with flower garlands and tilaka (vermillion marks) on their foreheads, acknowledging their loyalty and the roles they play as guardians and companions.
The third day resembles Indian Diwali most closely—homes are illuminated, Lakshmi is worshipped, and families gather for feasts. But the fourth day adds another unique element: Gai Tihar and Govardhan Puja honor cows (sacred in Hinduism) in the morning, while evening brings Mha Puja, a Newari tradition where individuals worship themselves, celebrating the body and renewing personal commitment to spiritual practice.
The fifth day, Bhai Tika, resembles India's Bhai Dooj, with sisters applying elaborate tikas on their brothers' foreheads, praying for their long life and prosperity, while brothers give gifts and pledge protection.
Deusi and Bhailo, traditional songs performed by groups going house to house (similar to caroling), are integral to Tihar. These groups sing and dance, receive gifts and treats, and create a communal, festive atmosphere throughout neighborhoods.
Sri Lanka: Deepavali in a Buddhist Nation
In Sri Lanka, where Buddhism is the majority religion, Diwali (locally called Deepavali) is primarily celebrated by the Tamil Hindu minority, concentrated in the north and east. The festival follows Tamil traditions more closely than North Indian practices, emphasizing the Narakasura story.
What's significant about Sri Lankan Diwali is how it has maintained cultural identity through decades of civil conflict. For Tamil communities, Deepavali celebrations became assertions of cultural continuity and resilience, particularly important during the war years when normal life was disrupted and cultural practices were threatened.
Post-conflict, Deepavali has begun to take on additional dimensions as a festival that can help bridge ethnic divisions. While primarily a Tamil celebration, increasing numbers of Sinhalese Buddhists participate in Diwali festivities, viewing it as a multicultural celebration rather than exclusively Hindu religious observance.
Oil bath rituals on Deepavali morning are particularly emphasized in Sri Lanka—family members rise before dawn, apply oil to their bodies, and bathe, symbolically cleansing themselves of past misdeeds and starting fresh. This practice, while present in South Indian traditions, takes on special importance in Sri Lankan Tamil culture.
Malaysia and Singapore: Diwali in Southeast Asia
In Malaysia and Singapore, where Indian diaspora communities form significant minorities, Diwali has achieved official recognition and mainstream visibility while maintaining authentic traditions.
Malaysia's Multicultural Diwali
Malaysia recognizes Deepavali as a federal public holiday, acknowledging its Hindu Tamil citizens who arrived as laborers during British colonial rule and have since become integral to Malaysian society. Little India areas in Kuala Lumpur and other cities transform during Diwali season—shops overflow with traditional clothing, jewelry, sweets, and decorations; streets are illuminated with elaborate light displays; and cultural programs showcase classical Indian dance and music.
Malaysian Diwali incorporates local flavors while maintaining Indian traditions. The open house custom—where families hold elaborate gatherings and welcome friends and neighbors of all backgrounds—has become central to Malaysian Diwali. These events feature traditional Indian foods alongside local Malaysian dishes, creating fusion feasts that reflect the country's multicultural character.
The Malaysian government and private sector actively promote Diwali, with shopping malls hosting elaborate decorations and entertainment, advertisements featuring Diwali themes, and even government leaders participating in celebrations and extending public greetings. This official embrace reflects Malaysia's stated commitment to multicultural harmony, though underlying ethnic tensions remain.
Singapore's Official Embrace
Singapore, with its sizable Indian minority (about 9% of the population), treats Diwali as a major public celebration. Serangoon Road, Singapore's Little India, becomes a pedestrian-only wonderland during Diwali season, with millions of lights, elaborate installations, cultural performances, and crowds that include Singaporeans of all ethnicities.
What distinguishes Singapore is how thoroughly Diwali has been integrated into the national calendar and identity. School textbooks teach all students about Diwali, workplace celebrations are common, and the government's active promotion of racial harmony has elevated Diwali from a minority festival to a shared national celebration.
The commercialization is significant—shopping centers compete with elaborate Diwali displays, special promotions run for weeks, and the festival has become an important retail season. While this raises questions about commodification, it also reflects Diwali's mainstream acceptance.
Mauritius: Where Diwali is a National Holiday
Mauritius, a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, has a unique distinction—it's the only country outside India where Hindus form a majority (about 48% of the population), descendants of indentured laborers brought by the British after slavery's abolition.
Diwali in Mauritius is a national public holiday celebrated by nearly everyone regardless of religion. The entire island illuminates, with homes, public buildings, and streets decorated with lights and diyas. The celebration maintains strong traditional elements—prayers, family gatherings, preparation of traditional sweets and savories—while incorporating Mauritian cultural elements.
What's remarkable is how Diwali has become truly national rather than sectarian. Muslim, Christian, and non-religious Mauritians participate in celebrations, visit Hindu friends and neighbors, share in the festive foods, and join in the general atmosphere of renewal and hope. This integration reflects Mauritius's broader success in creating a harmonious multicultural society despite colonial history and initial divisions.
The public Diwali celebrations include massive firework displays, cultural programs featuring Indian classical dance and music, and community events that bring together different segments of society. Government leaders of all backgrounds participate actively, reflecting Diwali's status not as a Hindu festival but as a Mauritian one.
Fiji: Diwali Across Oceans
Fiji's population is approximately 27-33% Indo-Fijian (numbers vary due to emigration), descendants of indentured laborers brought to work on sugar plantations. For this community, Diwali remains a crucial link to cultural heritage and a celebration of identity maintained across generations and vast ocean distances from India.
Fijian Diwali closely follows North Indian traditions, as most Indo-Fijians trace ancestry to regions in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Homes are cleaned and decorated, oil lamps are lit, Lakshmi puja is performed, new clothes are worn, and special foods are prepared—particularly sweets like ladoo, barfi, and jalebi that connect celebrants to ancestral traditions.
The festival also carries additional meaning in Fiji's complex ethnic politics. Indo-Fijians have faced discrimination and periodic violence, including coups that explicitly targeted the Indian community. In this context, Diwali celebrations become affirmations of belonging and continuity—assertions that Indo-Fijians are permanent parts of Fiji despite being treated as outsiders by some.
Public Diwali celebrations in Fiji feature melas (fairs) with food stalls, carnival rides, cultural performances, and community gatherings. These events welcome all Fijians, and increasingly, indigenous Fijians participate, though political tensions sometimes simmer beneath the festive surface.
Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname: Caribbean Diwali
The Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname have substantial Indo-Caribbean populations—descendants of indentured laborers who came after slavery's abolition. These communities have preserved Diwali traditions while creating distinctive Caribbean-Indian cultural expressions.
Trinidad and Tobago
Divali (the local spelling) is a national public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago, where about 18-25% of the population is of Indian descent. The National Council of Indian Culture organizes Divali Nagar, a massive week-long cultural festival featuring music, dance, drama, art exhibitions, food, and religious observances—essentially a Diwali convention that has become a major national event attracting all Trinidadians.
The Mother of all Divali celebrations happens at the Divali Nagar site, where elaborate stage shows blend traditional Indian cultural forms with Caribbean influences, creating unique fusion performances. The integration of calypso rhythms with bhajans (devotional songs), the use of local ingredients in traditional Indian dishes, and the participation of Afro-Trinidadians in celebrations reflect Trinidad's evolving multiculturalism.
Interestingly, Divali in Trinidad maintains more traditional religious elements than some celebrations elsewhere. This reflects the community's desire to preserve authentic practices even as they've adapted to Caribbean contexts.
Guyana
Guyana, where Indo-Guyanese form about 40% of the population, celebrates Diwali as Deepavali or the Festival of Lights. The president traditionally lights a diya to inaugurate the season, symbolizing national participation.
Guyanese Diwali features motorcades with elaborately decorated vehicles touring neighborhoods, lighting competitions where judges award prizes for best home decorations, and community gatherings that increasingly involve all ethnic groups. The foods reflect Guyanese fusion—traditional Indian sweets alongside Guyanese interpretations using local ingredients.
United Kingdom: Diwali Goes Mainstream
The UK, with a South Asian population exceeding 2.5 million, has seen Diwali evolve from a private ethnic celebration to a mainstream cultural event recognized at the highest levels of government and society.
Leicester's Diwali Spectacular
Leicester, where people of Indian origin form about 37% of the population, hosts what's often called the largest Diwali celebration outside India. The city center's Diwali lights switch-on attracts 35,000-40,000 people for an evening of music, dance, and spectacular light displays that have become a point of civic pride for Leicester.
The celebration extends beyond a single day—Diwali in Leicester means weeks of cultural events, special market stalls, restaurant promotions, and school activities. The city government actively promotes Diwali as part of Leicester's identity, viewing the celebration as both cultural recognition for the Indian community and a tourism draw.
London's Diwali
London's Diwali celebration centers on Trafalgar Square, where since 2003 the city has hosted a major Diwali event featuring stage performances, food stalls, and celebrations attended by 25,000-30,000 people. The Mayor of London traditionally attends and speaks, and the event receives coverage from mainstream media.
Beyond central London, neighborhoods with large South Asian populations—Southall, Wembley, Tooting—host their own celebrations. Temples organize special prayers and programs, restaurants offer Diwali menus, and shops display decorations and stock Diwali goods.
What's notable about UK Diwali is how it has influenced mainstream culture. Major retailers now run Diwali promotions, greeting card companies produce Diwali cards, schools teach students about the festival, and workplace Diwali celebrations have become common in diverse organizations. Prime Ministers of both major parties have hosted Diwali celebrations at 10 Downing Street, signaling official recognition.
United States: The American Diwali Evolution
The US, with approximately 4.5 million people of Indian origin (including 2.7 million Indian immigrants), has seen Diwali's visibility and recognition grow dramatically in recent decades.
Times Square Diwali
Since 2022, the Empire State Building has been lit in orange for Diwali, a symbolic recognition that thrilled Indian Americans. Times Square hosts Diwali celebrations with performances and crowds, and in 2023, New York City officially recognized Diwali as a school holiday—a major milestone reflecting Indian Americans' growing political influence.
Bay Area Innovation
The San Francisco Bay Area, with its large Indian American population (especially in tech industries), celebrates Diwali with characteristic innovation. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Facebook host elaborate Diwali celebrations for employees. Fremont's Festival of Lights attracts tens of thousands, while smaller community celebrations occur throughout the region.
What distinguishes American Diwali is the blend of tradition and adaptation. Celebrations maintain religious and cultural authenticity while incorporating American elements. Diwali parties might feature traditional Indian dancing followed by DJ sets playing Bollywood remixes and American pop. Foods might include samosas alongside pizza, reflecting the hybrid identities of second-generation Indian Americans.
Political Recognition
American politicians increasingly acknowledge Diwali. Presidents have hosted Diwali celebrations at the White House since George W. Bush's administration, though the scale and consistency have increased under subsequent presidents. Governors issue Diwali proclamations, members of Congress hold Diwali events, and in areas with significant Indian American populations, mayoral participation in Diwali celebrations has become routine.
Canada: Multiculturalism Embodied
Canada, with its official multiculturalism policy and a South Asian population exceeding 2 million, has embraced Diwali with characteristic Canadian enthusiasm for cultural diversity.
Brampton and Mississauga
The Greater Toronto Area, particularly Brampton (where South Asians form over 40% of the population), hosts spectacular Diwali celebrations. City halls illuminate for Diwali, municipalities organize firework displays and cultural programs, and the festival has achieved mainstream recognition.
Canadian Diwali reflects the country's "mosaic" approach to multiculturalism—rather than expecting assimilation, Canada encourages communities to maintain distinct identities. This policy framework has allowed Diwali to thrive authentically while gaining broader Canadian participation.
Parliamentary Recognition
Canadian Prime Ministers have hosted Diwali celebrations on Parliament Hill, and the House of Commons regularly passes motions recognizing Diwali. This official recognition at the highest levels of government reflects both the Indian Canadian community's political engagement and Canada's multicultural values.
Australia and New Zealand: Southern Hemisphere Celebrations
In Australia and New Zealand, Diwali occurs during spring rather than autumn, creating an interesting seasonal shift for a festival traditionally associated with harvest and the transition to winter.
Australian Integration
Major Australian cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Perth—host significant Diwali events. Sydney's Diwali festival in Parramatta attracts over 120,000 people, featuring performances, food stalls, and celebrations that welcome all Australians. The event has become part of Sydney's cultural calendar, with the government and corporate sponsors supporting it.
What's interesting about Australian Diwali is how quickly it has gained mainstream acceptance despite the Indian community being relatively recent and smaller than in the UK or North America. This reflects Australia's evolving self-image as a multicultural society, though tensions around immigration and identity persist.
New Zealand's Community Focus
New Zealand's smaller Indian population celebrates Diwali primarily through community events organized by Indian associations and cultural groups. Auckland and Wellington host festivals, though on a smaller scale than Australian celebrations. The emphasis remains on community building and cultural preservation while increasingly welcoming broader Kiwi participation.
The Digital Diwali: Global Connection
Technology has transformed how Diwali is celebrated globally. Video calls connect families across continents for simultaneous celebrations. Social media explodes with Diwali greetings, photos, and videos—#Diwali trends globally on Twitter and Instagram during the festival. YouTube features countless Diwali vlogs documenting celebrations from New York to New Delhi to Sydney.
Streaming services now release Diwali-themed content, recognizing the occasion's significance for their Indian audience. Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other platforms time releases to coincide with Diwali, knowing viewers will be gathering with family and looking for entertainment.
Virtual celebrations became crucial during COVID-19 lockdowns when physical gatherings were impossible. Communities organized online pujas, virtual cultural programs, and Zoom celebrations that maintained connection despite physical distance. These innovations have persisted, allowing people to participate in multiple celebrations across time zones.
The Commercialization Question
Diwali's global spread has inevitably brought commercialization. What was once primarily a religious and cultural celebration has become a major shopping season—India's equivalent to Christmas retail in Western countries. Retailers worldwide now target Diwali shoppers with special promotions, themed products, and marketing campaigns.
This commercialization raises questions. Does it dilute Diwali's spiritual significance? Does it reduce a profound festival to mere consumerism? Or does commercial recognition represent mainstream acceptance and celebration?
The answers vary by perspective. Some lament the loss of traditional simplicity, when Diwali meant homemade sweets, simple diyas, and family gatherings rather than elaborate parties and expensive gifts. Others appreciate that commercialization has made Diwali visible and accessible, allowing broader participation and recognition.
Perhaps the truth lies in balance—maintaining core spiritual and cultural meanings while accepting that festival evolution is natural and inevitable.
The Environmental Reckoning
Globally, Diwali celebrations are grappling with environmental impact, particularly regarding fireworks. The massive air pollution from millions of firecrackers has made air quality dangerous in Indian cities during Diwali, causing health problems especially for children, elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
This has sparked debates and changes. Court orders limiting fireworks, promotion of "green Diwali" celebrations focusing on lights rather than firecrackers, eco-friendly alternatives like laser shows, and growing awareness particularly among younger generations are shifting practices.
Diaspora communities sometimes lead in sustainable celebrations—partly due to stricter environmental regulations in their adopted countries, partly due to different priorities among generations raised outside India. This creates interesting dynamics where "traditional" celebrations are being questioned and reformed, sometimes more rapidly outside India than within.
The Light That Connects
What makes Diwali's global journey remarkable is how a festival rooted in specific historical and religious contexts has become meaningful to diverse communities while maintaining its essential character. Whether celebrated in Mumbai or Manhattan, Leicester or Los Angeles, Singapore or Sydney, Diwali's core themes—light overcoming darkness, knowledge dispelling ignorance, good triumphing over evil, new beginnings after endings—resonate universally.
The festival has adapted to different contexts—incorporating local foods in Caribbean celebrations, embracing multicultural participation in Malaysia and Mauritius, gaining political recognition in Western democracies, using technology to connect global celebrations. Yet everywhere, the lights remain—diyas, candles, elaborate electric displays—symbols that transcend cultural boundaries and speak to fundamental human hopes.
Diwali's global spread also reflects broader stories of migration, diaspora, cultural persistence, and multicultural evolution. For immigrant communities, maintaining Diwali traditions connects them to heritage and transmits culture to children born far from ancestral homes. For host societies, Diwali celebrations become opportunities to embrace diversity, learn about other traditions, and evolve national identities.
As lights illuminate homes, temples, and city centers across six continents, as families gather for prayers and feasts, as communities come together for celebration, Diwali fulfills its essential purpose—bringing light into darkness, wherever that darkness may be, whatever form it may take. In a world that often seems divided, this festival of lights reminds us of our shared humanity and our common hopes for a brighter tomorrow.