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Diwali (Deepavali/Deepawali/Tihar (November 2024): Diwali Around The World

A libguide on Diwali (or Deepavali/Deepawali/Tihar), the Indian cultural festival of lights.

Diwali Around The World

Diwali is not only celebrated in India! Diwali is celebrated around the world, by different cultures and countries.

Diwali in Fiji

In Fiji, Diwali is so popular that those of non-Hindu culture celebrate Diwali. Due to its widespread observance, Diwali in Fiji is a public holiday.

Similar to India, Fiji celebrates Diwali with the lighting of lights & candles, elaborate decorations, and gift-giving.

Commonly, schools in Fiji educate students on the importance of Diwali. Activities range from creating rangoli - the ornate chalk designs - to creating Diwali greeting cards in Fiji's native language.

During Diwali, many Fiji citizens speak Fiji Hindi, a regional variation of Hindi.

Diwali in Guyana

In Guyana, 33% of the population is Hindu. To that effect, Diwala - the name of the festival in Guyana - is a huge celebration in the country and is a public holiday after Guyana gained independence from British colonization in the 1960s.

Non-Hindus celebrate Diwala, but to a lesser extent compared to other countries. Guyana became largely Christian after British colonization, a conversion from the largely Hindu and Muslim population. Said colonization dampened the widespread celebration of Diwala, but it is still very popular in the country. Diyas and rangoli are present in public and private spaces, with colorful lights in windows and hung from eaves.

Diwali in Mariturus

Mauritius

Since the Hindu community comprises almost 50 percent of Mauritius' population, Diwali is celebrated with much fervour and excitement. People place clay oil lamps in front of their houses, and the island nation turns into a fairyland during this time.

Diwali in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

There are many cities, especially Leichester and Birminghal, in the United Kingdom that celebrate Diwali in a grand manner. This is because these areas have a huge number of Indian communities settled there. If you are there, you will witness that festivities here are almost as elaborate as India, if not the same.

Diwali in Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago have one of the largest Indian and East Asian populations in the Caribbean. Commensurate to that, Diwali is a large festival in Trinidad and Tobago. Citizens of all cultures and religions celebrate by lighting candles & diyas, and more uniquely bamboo is bent and shaped into intricate designs, augmented by traditional rangoli.

In central Trinidad, there's a whole theme park dedicated to Diwali! The park is called Divali Nagar and it's the first Hindu-themed park in the world.

Divali Nagar

 

Diwali in Malaysia

Malaysia

Diwali in Malaysia is known as Hari Diwali, while the rituals too are a bit different from those that are followed in India. On this day, people start with oil bathing in the morning, and then head to temples to offer prayers. Since the sale of crackers is banned in Malaysia, people here celebrate this festival by exchanging sweets, gifts, and good wishes.

Diwali in Thailand

Thailand

Diwali is celebrated in Thailand as Lam Kriyongh, and the festival is almost similar to that of Diwali celebrations. It’s celebrated on the full moon day of the 12th month, as per the Thai calendar. If you ever happen to be in Thailand during this time, you will be amazed to witness the extravagant display of fireworks there.