Diwali Celebrations Abroad

Diwali is celebrated in various parts of the world, in countries such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Suriname, Canada, Guyana, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, much of Africa, and the United States. With more and more Indians and Sri Lankans now migrating to various parts of the world, the number of countries where Diwali is celebrated has been gradually increasing. While in some countries it is celebrated mainly by Indian expatriates, in others it has become part of the general local culture. In most of these countries Diwali is celebrated on the same lines as described in this article with some minor variations. Some important variations are worth mentioning.

In Nepal, Diwali is known as "Tihar" or "Swanti". It is celebrated during the October/November period. Here the festival is celebrated for five days and the traditions vary from those followed in India. On the first day (Kaag tihar), crows are given offerings, considering them to be divine messengers. On the second day (Kukur tihar), dogs are worshipped for their honesty. On the third day, Laxmi puja and worship of cow is performed. This is the last day according to Nepal Sambat, so many of the businessmen clear their accounts on this day and on finishing it, worship goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth. The fourth day is celebrated as new year. Cultural processions and other celebrations are observed in this day. The Newars celebrate it as "Mha Puja", a special ritual in which the body is worshipped to keep it fit and healthy for the year ahead on this day. On the fifth and final day called "Bhai Tika", brothers and sisters meet and exchange pleasantries.

In Trinidad and Tobago, communities all over the islands get together and celebrate the festival. One major celebration that stands out is the Diwali Nagar, or Village of the Festival of Lights. It features stage performances by the east Indian cultural practitioners, a folk theatre featuring skits and plays, an exhibition on some aspect of Hinduism, displays by various Hindu religious sects and social organizations, nightly worship of Goddess Lakshmi, lighting of deeyas, performances by various schools related to Indian culture, and a food court with Indian and non-Indian vegetarian delicacies. The festival culminates with magnificent fireworks displays ushering in Diwali. Thousands of people participate in an atmosphere devoid of alcohol and in a true family environment.

In Malaysia, Diwali is known as "Hari Deepavali," and is celebrated during the seventh month of the Hindu solar calendar. It is a federal public holiday throughout Malaysia. In many respects it resembles the traditions followed in the Indian subcontinent. 'Open houses' are held where Hindu Malaysians welcome fellow Malaysians of different races and religions to their house for a sumptious meal. 'Open house' or 'rumah terbuka' is a practice very much unique to Malaysia and shows the goodwill and friendly ties practised by all Malaysians during any festive occasion.

In Singapore, the festival is called "Deepavali", and is a gazetted public holiday. Observed primarily by the minority Indian community, it is typically marked by a light-up in the Little India district. The Hindu Endowment Board of Singapore along with Singapores' government organizes many cultural events around Deepavali time.

In Sri Lanka, this festival is also called "Deepavali" and is celebrated by the Tamil community. On this day, it is traditional for people to wear new clothes and exchange pleasantries.

In Britain, Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm and in most ways very similarly to as in India. People clean and decorate their homes with lamps and candles.A popular type of candle used to represent this holiday is a diya. People also give each other sweets such as laddoo and barfi, and the different communities may gather from around the country for a religious ceremony and get-together. It is also an important time to contact family in India and perhaps exchange gifts through the post. It is a greatly celebrated holiday and is a great way to connect with the culture and heritage of India. Diwali is becoming a well known festival in Britain and non-Indians also join in the festivities. Leicester plays hosts to some of the biggest celebrations outside of India itself.

In New Zealand, Diwali is celebrated publicly among many of the South Asian diaspora cultural groups. There are main public festivals in Auckland and Wellington, with other events around the country becoming more popular and visible. An official reception has been held at the New Zealand Parliament since 2003. source: wikipedia

Apart from India, Diwali is celebrated worldwide. The hindus in Guyana, Fiji, Mauritius, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago as well as Britain, Indonesia, Singapore, Africa, Australia and even Southern America are known to celebrate Diwali.

Deepavali Diwali India Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Diwali Bangalore Hyderabad Deepavali Chandigarh Guwahati Assam Shillong Silchar Jaipur Rajasthan UP Uttar Pradesh Kanpur Allahabad Varanasi Bhopal Guwalior Nagpur Pune Orissa Cuttak Patna Bihar Goa Ahmedabad Gujarat Surat Gandhinagar Raipur Deepavali Diwali Dipawali Deepawali Depawali Depavali USA UK Europe Australia Canada US United States United Kingdom England London New York Germany France Japan Asia Singalore Diwali Dipawali Deepawali Depawali Depavali Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Trinidad & Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, Australia Diwali Deepavali Deepawali Dipawali Dipavali

Celebrating Diwali in Delhi

Celebrating Diwali in Delhi, the capital city of India has a unique charm of its own. With traditional and classy neon lights brightly lit throughout the shops, houses and other establishments, the city seem to wear a new glittery garb to celebrate Diwali. With a cosmopolitan population, Diwali celebrations in Delhi represents the festival of lights with a special Indian flavor.

Diwali celebrations in Delhi represents the festival of lights with a special Indian flavor. The 'Diwali fever' in Delhi commences days before the actual Diwali day. Just after Dussehra festival, people in Delhi start making preparations for Diwali. Renovations, whitewashing a nd spring-cleaning both at personal and commercial establishments are carried out at full swing for the Diwali day.

On Diwali day, shops in Delhi remain open till the afternoon, believing that good sales on Diwali day predict a prosperous year ahead. In the corporate sector, the process of buying and distributing Diwali gifts begins several days before the big day, and slowly picks up pace. Sweets and dry fruits are the most common gifts, as are silver coins. But gifts also range from silver dishes and other household gifts to suit pieces.
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Diwali Celebrations Defy Delhi Bombers

The sound of firecrackers greeted the dawn in Delhi today as the city began the Hindu festival of Diwali in the wake of bomb attacks at the weekend that killed 59 people. Defiant shopkeepers decorated their stalls with glowing lights and shiny tinsel to mark the festival of lights -...

The sound of firecrackers greeted the dawn in Delhi today as the city began the Hindu festival of Diwali in the wake of bomb attacks at the weekend that killed 59 people.

Defiant shopkeepers decorated their stalls with glowing lights and shiny tinsel to mark the festival of lights - representing the triumph of good over evil - but security was tight as investigators continued their hunt for the bombers.

Police sifted through millions of mobile telephone call records, trying to uncover who had carried out the attacks, and checkpoints were set up around the city.

Anguished and weary relatives continued to look for loved ones among rows of bodies charred in the deadliest terrorist attack on the Indian capital.

The atmosphere was sombre. Sonia Gandhi, the head of India's ruling alliance, and the prime minister, Manmohan Singh, both cancelled celebrations.

Randeep Ramesh, Guardian correspondent in New Delhi, reported that the streets were much quieter than in previous years.

India remains on high alert. More than 2,500 police were drafted in to bolster the city's 70,000-strong force ahead of the holiday season, which begins with Diwali and ends with the Muslim festival of Eid al-Fitr on Friday or Saturday, depending on the sighting of the moon.

Apart from the fear of more attacks, there are concerns the bombings, at such a sensitive religious time, could trigger communal violence.

In Mumbai, India's financial and entertainment capital, Reuters reported offices and houses illuminated and decorated with sweet-smelling garlands and traditional clay lamps. "The Delhi blasts have slightly dampened the spirits and people are scared of going into crowded areas," resident Rajesh Didwania told the news agency. "But one has to get on with life."

Three blasts, all within an hour, ripped through a bus and two crowded markets on Saturday in an attack claimed by a group called Islami Inqilabi Mahaz (Islamic Revolutionary Group).

Analysts said it had ties with or was a front for the Pakistan-based Lashkar-i-Taiba, an Islamic group fighting Indian rule in Kashmir. India blamed Lashkar for an attack on the country's parliament in December 2001 which left 15 dead, including five attackers.

India prepared for war after the 2001 attacks but relations between the two neighbours are now much improved. General Pervez Musharraf, the Pakistani president, yesterday condemned the bombings as a "dastardly terrorist attack" and said his country would cooperate in any investigation.

However, a spokesman for Mr Singh said the prime minister had told Mr Musharraf by telephone that he "continued to be disturbed and dismayed at indications of external linkages of terrorist groups with the October 29 bombing".

Two banned Pakistani militant groups today denied Mr Singh's claims that Pakistani-based insurgents had been behind the blasts. Spokesmen for Jaish-i-Mohammed and Jamiat-ul-Ansar both insisted that India-based militants had carried out the attacks.


© Guardian News & Media 2008
Published: 11/1/2005
Deepavali Diwali India Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Chennai Diwali Bangalore Hyderabad Deepavali Chandigarh Guwahati Assam Shillong Silchar Jaipur Rajasthan UP Uttar Pradesh Kanpur Allahabad Varanasi Bhopal Guwalior Nagpur Pune Orissa Cuttak Patna Bihar Goa Ahmedabad Gujarat Surat Gandhinagar Raipur Deepavali Diwali Dipawali Deepawali Depawali Depavali

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Diwali in Delhi Diwali Deepavali Deepawali New Delhi India

In Delhi, Diwali festivities start at Dussehra. From then on, as people set out on a frantic spree of shopping, spring-cleaning, whitewashing and redecorating, the shops and market places embark on a frenzy of sales and promotional offers. Market places are festooned with streamers; melas and fairs crop up everywhere. Many people buy new clothes to wear on Diwali, and on the day of Dhanteras, traditionally, a kitchen utensil of some kind is purchased.

On Diwali day, shops in Delhi remain open till the afternoon, believing that good sales on Diwali day predict a prosperous year ahead. In the corporate sector, the process of buying and distributing Diwali gifts begins several days before the big day, and slowly picks up pace. Sweets and dry fruits are the most common gifts, as are silver coins. But gifts also range from silver dishes and other household gifts to suit pieces.

Delhi get crowded with shoppers and shopping bonanzas. Around every street corner can be found the temporary stages for holding the Ramlila - a dramatic rendition of the story of the Ramayan, which continues for several evenings, culminating in the defeat of Evil (Ravanna) by Good (Ram) on the Dussehra Day.

Houses are decorated and on Diwali evening Lakshmi puja is organized. Often the women of the house do "aarti" to their husbands, garlanding him and putting a "tika" on him, while praying for his long life. In some houses, there is a ritual of immersing a silver coin in a tumbler of milk. The milk is then sprinkled lightly in the rooms of the house. The Prashad is kept in front of the idol throughout the night. source: http://www.diwalifestival.org/diwali-in-delhi.html
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People enjoy Diwali in delhi all through out the day and night, most of the markets remain busy with festive mood, people buys sweets, gifts, new cloths etc. These days most of the shopping malls remain full of people buying different household items and gift packets etc. Market associations decorated marktes like Karol Bagh, Chandni Chowk, Sarojini Nagar Market, Grater Kailash etc.

About Diwali:
Deepavali, or Diwali, (Markiscarali) is a major Indian festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. [3] Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being . The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.

According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In many parts of India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest.[4] The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In western India it is also in honor of the day King Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of Vishnu. (There is another festival 'Onam' which is celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to mark this legend)

Diwali is celebrated on the first day of the lunar Kartika month, which comes in the month of October or November.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on October 15, 527 BCE. The Sikhs celebrate Diwali for a different reason; on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. After his release he went to Darbar Sahib (golden temple) in the holy city of Amritsar. There, he was greeted by Sikhs and many other people. In happiness they lit candles and diyas to greet the Guru. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith.

Kali Puja is light-up night for Kolkata, corresponding to the festival of Diwali (pronounced Dipabali in Bengali), where people light candles in memory of the souls of departed ancestors. The Goddess Kali is worshipped at night on one night during this festival. This is also a night of fireworks, with local youth burning sparklers and crackers throughout the night. Kolkata had to pass legislature a few years back to ban fireworks which break the 65 decibel sound limit, as ambient noise levels were going up to 90 decibels or more in parts of the city. source: wikipedia

Diwali Delhi Diwali New Delhi Diwali India Deepavali Delhi Deepavali India Deepawali India Deepawali Delhi Deepawali India

Diwali India Delhi Mumbai Kolkata Bangalore

Diwali, or Deepavali, (also called Tihar and Swanti in Nepal) (Markiscarali) is a major Indian and Nepalese festival, and a significant festival in Hinduism, Sikhism and Jainism. Many legends are associated with Diwali. Today it is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs across the globe as the "Festival of Light," where the lights or lamps signify victory of good over the evil within every human being . The festival is also celebrated by Buddhists of Nepal, particularly the Newar Buddhists.

According to one theory Diwali may have originated as a harvest festival, marking the last harvest of the year before winter. In an agrarian society this results in businessmen closing accounts, and beginning a new accounting year. The deity of wealth in Hinduism, goddess Lakshmi is therefore thanked on this day and everyone prays for a good year ahead. This is the common factor in Diwali celebrations all over the Indian subcontinent.

In North India, it is the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya after a 14-year exile in the forest. The people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom) welcomed Rama by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name, Deepawali, or simply shortened as Diwali. Southern India marks it as the day Lord Krishna defeated the demon Narakasura. In western India it is also in honor of the day King Bali went to rule the nether-world by the order of Vishnu. (There is another festival 'Onam' which is celebrated in Kerala around the month of August to mark this legend)

Diwali comes in the month of October or November.

In Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, which occurred on Oct. 15, 527 B.C. The Sikhs have always celebrated Diwali; however, its significance for Sikhs increased when, on this day, the Sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, was freed from imprisonment along with 52 Hindu Kings (political prisoners) whom he had arranged to be released as well. In India, Diwali is now considered to be a national festival, and the aesthetic aspect of the festival is enjoyed by most Indians regardless of faith. source: wikipedia