Diwali Traditions Around the World: Celebrations from Different Cultures

Last Updated on October 14, 2024

In Hindu culture, Diwali, often known as the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most important and extensively observed holidays. However, its appeal transcends religious and national boundaries, and over the centuries, it has become a global event that brings together people from various backgrounds. Check out how Diwali traditions around the World are celebrated in this article. Traditionally celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists, Diwali marks the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. It’s a time of family gatherings, prayers, and feasts, and its customs vary across different regions and countries.

How are Diwali Traditions Around the World Celebrated

This essay will examine the various ways that Diwali is observed around the globe, from its religious origins in India to its colorful manifestations in the USA, the UK, and other nations. Let’s explore the distinctive customs contributing to Diwali’s status as a worldwide holiday. Here is a highlight of Diwali traditions around the World and how it’s celebrated:

Diwali in India: The Heart of the Festival

Diwali originated in India, where the celebration varies greatly depending on the locale. Local customs give the celebration its unique character, even if the celebration of good triumphing over evil is the fundamental topic that never changes.

Northern India:

Diwali is a celebration in the north marking Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya following a 14-year banishment and his victory over the evil king Ravana. Dhanteras is the first day of the five-day celebration, honoring wealth and prosperity. Because they think it will bring good fortune, people buy gold, silver, and new kitchenware and clean their homes. The most important day, the third, is dedicated to Lakshmi Puja, in which followers worship the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, hoping to receive blessings for prosperity and well-being.

Southern India:

Diwali is a Kerala and Tamil Nadu celebration honoring Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura. On Diwali mornings, families get up early to take part in the holy custom of oil bathing before sunrise. Extensive feasts are planned for family and friends, and firecrackers are set off, signifying the eradication of evil spirits.

Western India:

Diwali coincides with the Hindu New Year in Gujarat and Maharashtra, making it incredibly joyous. Doorways are decorated with rangolis, elaborate designs created from colorful powders, and dwellings are lit with diyas or clay lamps to welcome good energy.

To bring the warm glow of Diwali into your home, you can choose from a wide range of decorative diyas and LED lights. For a modern twist, consider using LED Diya String Lights or traditional Terracotta Oil Diyas for a more authentic experience. Both options offer a radiant way to celebrate the Festival of Lights.

Traditional Terracotta Natural Earthen Oil Lamp

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Diwali in Nepal: The Festival of Lights and Cows

Tihar, a five-day celebration that combines local rituals and beliefs with Diwali, is the name given to Nepal’s version of the Indian holiday. Tihar praises gods and goddesses like Lakshmi and recognizes animals that play a crucial role in everyday life. This is how these days are celebrated:

• Day 1: Kag Tihar (Crow Day) – Crows are worshipped as messengers of the gods, and offerings are placed for them on rooftops.
• Day 2: Kukur Tihar (Dog Day) – Dogs, considered loyal companions, are celebrated and adorned with garlands and tilak.
• Day 3: Gai Tihar (Cow Day) – Cows, sacred in Hinduism, are revered and offered special meals. The evening is marked by Lakshmi Puja, where homes are lit with oil lamps to invite prosperity.
• Day 4 and 5: The remaining days are dedicated to the worship of bulls and brothers, showcasing the festival’s focus on relationships with animals and family.

The vibrant mix of animal worship and the lighting of oil lamps makes Tihar a profoundly spiritual and unique version of Diwali in Nepal. To create stunning and intricate designs, many use Rangoli Stencil Kits and Colored Rangoli Powders. These easy-to-use tools can help you craft beautiful patterns on your doorstep, a cherished tradition in many Diwali celebrations.

3 D Rangoli Making kit

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Diwali in Sri Lanka: Celebrating Light Over Darkness

Due to its historical ties to the Ramayana, Sri Lanka celebrates Diwali with considerable fanfare, especially from the Tamil community. The celebration commemorates Lord Rama’s victory over Lanka’s demon king, Ravana.

Diwali is a public holiday in Sri Lanka. Festivities include burning clay lamps, setting off firecrackers, and making sweets like laddoo, barfi, and jalebi. To commemorate the event, individuals wear new outfits and decorate their homes with rangolis. Devotees swarm temples devoted to Lord Rama and other deities, presenting prayers and requesting blessings.

Diwali is observed mainly by the Hindu minority in Sri Lanka, although it is also becoming more widely recognized among other cultures. It is becoming a more inclusive festival of happiness, prosperity, and optimism.

Sharing sweets is a vital part of the Diwali experience. You can order Assorted Diwali Sweet Hampers or make treats with a Diwali Dessert Recipe Book to simplify your preparations.

Diwali Sweets

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Diwali in Mauritius: A Cultural Melting Pot

One of the leading national holidays in Mauritius, an island country in the Indian Ocean, is Diwali, celebrated by a sizable population of Indian descent. The majority religious community in the nation, Hindus, celebrate Diwali in a manner akin to their Indian counterparts but with a distinctly Mauritian twist.

In Mauritius, Diwali is associated with lighting diyas and hosting family get-togethers and feasts. Regardless of their religious beliefs, people prepare sweets like gulab jamun, sooji halwa, and kheer to share with their neighbors. People of all religious backgrounds gather to celebrate the festival of lights on the island of Mauritius, and the camaraderie among them during Diwali reflects the rich cultural diversity of the place.

Many people celebrate Diwali by wearing new, traditional clothes. For those looking to purchase Indian attire, beautiful options like Men’s Kurta Pajamas or Women’s Sarees and Lehengas are perfect for adding a touch of elegance to your Diwali celebrations.

Chandrakala Men’s Tunic Cotton Kurta Pajama Set Indian

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Diwali in the United Kingdom: A Festival of Integration

Diwali is a significant cultural occasion in the UK, especially in London, Leicester, and Birmingham, with a thriving South Asian diaspora. For British Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, Diwali allows them to demonstrate their heritage while engaging with the greater society.

Leicester hosts some of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India. Thousands of lights line the Indian restaurants and stores that line the Golden Mile, and the neighborhood comes together to enjoy dance, music, and fireworks. The government also formally recognizes Diwali, with celebrations in well-known places like London’s Trafalgar Square. Fusing traditional Indian customs with London’s multiculturalism produces an inclusive and authentic Diwali celebration.

Having the right tools is essential for your Diwali prayers. Consider ordering a Diwali Puja Thali Set with all the items needed for a traditional prayer or a Brass Oil Lamp to illuminate your home.

Brass Pooja Thali Set 8 Inch 

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Diwali in the United States: A Growing Cultural Phenomenon

From being a celebration observed mainly by Indian immigrants, Diwali has become a widely recognized cultural event in the US that attracts individuals from all walks of life. Large-scale Diwali celebrations include food fairs, cultural shows, and fireworks in major cities, including New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.

One of the US Diwali festival’s distinctive qualities is its inclusion in public and education. Numerous universities, businesses, and schools observe the celebration, which contributes to raising awareness of its importance. Considering the festival’s significance for the city’s multicultural populace, New York City declared in 2021 that it would include Diwali in its local school holidays.

In addition, many temples and cultural institutions in the US host traditional Diwali pujas, enabling families to continue practicing their religion even though they have moved far from their ancestral homes.

While firecrackers are a traditional part of Diwali, you can also opt for safer alternatives like LED Fireworks Lights or Eco-friendly Sparklers, ensuring your celebration is fun and environmentally conscious.

Anordsem Solar Fireworks Lights Outdoor

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Diwali in Singapore and Malaysia: A Blend of Traditions

Due to the sizeable Indian populations in Singapore and Malaysia, Diwali, also known as Deepavali there, is a public holiday that draws visitors from all walks of life. The center of the festivities is Singapore’s Little India enclave, whose streets are decked out with lights, vibrant patterns, and ornate arcs. In temples, Singapore’s customs of Diwali and celebratory feasts and sweets are shared between neighbors. Singapore’s multiethnic makeup means that Deepavali is celebrated by Hindus and members of the Chinese and Malay communities, representing the country’s ethos of harmony and coexistence.

Deepavali is also a time for open houses in Malaysia when Hindus, intercountry, and neighbors of all faiths come to their homes for celebrations and food. Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur’s Little India, comes to life with vibrant lights, lively marketplaces, and lively people, transforming the hive of celebration.

Decorating your home for Diwali can be made easy with beautiful Diwali Wall Hangings and Door Torans. These items add a festive and welcoming touch to your home during the festival.

Happy Diwali Backdrop Banner

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Diwali in the Caribbean: A Legacy of Indian Heritage and Customs of Diwali

Diwali is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in the Caribbean nations of Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Suriname, which are home to sizable communities of Indian descent. Diwali is a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago—weeks of preparation lead to the festival’s big ceremonies, which involve lighting for thousands of days.

As the descendants of indentured laborers, festivals were held in the Caribbean during colonial times, and many of these countries’ inhabitants celebrate Diwali as a religious occasion and a reminder of their Indian ancestry. For the IndIndo-country communities, the celebration represents pride in culture and solidarity.

To complete your festive meal, you can serve your Diwali treats on Diwali-themed dinner Plates or use an elegant Brass Serving Set, perfect for hosting a memorable celebration.

Tableware Deepavali Party Supplies 

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Diwali in Australia and New Zealand: A Festival of Diversity

With their expanding Indian community, Australia and New Zealand have recently witnessed a rise in Diwali festivities and customs of Diwali. Thousands of people attend public celebrations like the Sydney Diwali Fair and Auckland Diwali Festival, which combine traditional Indian dance, music, and cuisine.

Diwali is frequently used as a forum to celebrate diversity in these nations. In honor of the event, Sydney’s famous Opera House has been illuminated, symbolizing Diwali’s acceptance and assimilation into Australian culture. The several cultures of Sydney’s Indians that host Diwali celebrations in New Zealand are instrumental in uniting the nation’s disparate populations.

Conclusion: A Global Celebration of Light and Unity

Fundamentally, Diwali celebrates good over evil and lights the nation’s kindness. The festival’s global expansion and customs of Diwali have transformed into an international event that unites individuals from diverse cultural, religious, and background backgrounds. The festival is in India’s vibrant streets, the Caribbean’s sleepy communities, or the many American cities of Diwali.