Diwali is a Hindu festival celebrated in the last week of October and early November every year and is a five-day festival in worship of the Goddess Lakshmi. The entire month of October and these festivities are also heavily associated with other similar celebrations like Durga Pooja, Navarathri and Vijayadashami, and in worship of different deities like Rama, Vishnu, Durga, Krishna, and Kali. We've selected 35 amazing photos to show you that this bright and bold festival is one that any and all can enjoy, with some lamps, colored powder and sparklers!
1. Home pooja area, where the family can perform prayers, with Diwali lamps, called Diyas
(By DRBHAMRA, Wikimedia Commons)
2. Small idols of the Deities Lakshmi and Ganesha on a plate with multiple decorative Diyas during the celebrations in Sri Lanka
(By Amila Tennakoon, Wikimedia Commons)
3. Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, in whose honor Diwali is largely celebrated
(By Raja Ravi Varma, Wikimedia Commons)
4. A Home pooja area on Diwali with special food laid out for the Gods depicted in the framed photographs and new clothes laid out to be blessed
(By PJeganathan, Wikimedia Commons)
In the days leading up to the festivities, new clothes are purchased, homes are redecorated and lights are strung up on every street, house, and tree!
5. Houses with Diwali lights in Haryana, India
(By Arne Hückelheim, Wikimedia Commons)
6. Decorations on a temple during Diwali in Ahmedabad, India
(By Emmanuel DYAN, Wikimedia Commons)
7. Lights in Citywalk, Delhi, during Diwali
(By Harsh Agrawal, Wikimedia Commons)
8. Deepavali lights in Little India, Singapore
(By ProjectManhattan, Wikimedia Commons)
9. Diwali Lanterns hung outside shops in Mumbai, India
(By Apoorva Karlekar, Wikimedia Commons)
10. Lantern made for Diwali decoration
(By Archanapatil215, Wikimedia Commons)
For 5 days, beautiful lamps are lit and fireworks are set off. The fireworks are of a wide variety and may be small, intended to be used in individual homes, or larger, which can be enjoyed by communities as a whole. Specified time-frames have been set during the days of celebration within which firecrackers can be used to keep noise and air pollution to a minimal.
11. The traditional lighting of lamps for Diwali in Uttar Pradesh, India
(By Teacher1943, Wikimedia Commons)
12. Lights lit around a drawing of Krishna on the streets at night
(By Vengolis, Wikimedia Commons)
13. Diwali Lights set up all along Belgrave Road, Leicester, England
(By Matt Preston, Wikimedia Commons)
14. Diwali Fireworks in Melbourne, Australia
(By Chris Phutully, Wikimedia Commons)
15. Chakras are popular Indian firecrackers, which spin rapidly when lit
(By BengaliHindu, Wikimedia Commons)
(By BengaliHindu, Wikimedia Commons)
(By Katyare, Wikimedia Commons)
16. Another small firecracker intended for the home is called a flowerpot. It shoots a fountain of sparks upwards when lit
(By Shreshth91, Wikimedia Commons)
17. Diwali fireworks as viewed from rooftops
(By Saad Faruque, Wikimedia Commons)
18. Strings of firecrackers are also sold, which can create quite an explosive spectacle
(By Ashwin Kumar, Wikimedia Commons)
19. Fireworks over a temple, as seen from a rooftop in Chennai, India
(By mckaysavage, Wikimedia Commons)
20. A shop selling fireworks exclusively, commonly found all across Indian cities during the weeks leading up to Diwali
(By Saad Faruque, Wikimedia Commons)
Patterns are drawn in colored powder, made from chalk or rocks, outside of homes, an activity termed as Rangoli in North Indian culture and Kolam in South India, which can be decorated with more beautiful lamps.
21. Rangoli/Kolam, decorations made from colored powders and lamps
(By Subharnab Majumdar, Wikimedia Commons)
22. Diwali Rangoli
(By Rachana3111, Wikimedia Commons)
23. Rangoli outside the Bharat Mata Temple in Varanasi
(By Dennis Jarvis, Wikimedia Commons)
24. Rangoli drawing of Lord Ganesha made with white chalk powder
(By Ramesh NG, Wikimedia Commons)
25. Kolam drawn with a white paste, instead of powder
(By Sujit kumar, Wikimedia Commons)
Special sweets and savory treats are made by families for the occasion, and large gatherings come together to watch singing and dancing performances.
26. Sweets and savory treats made for Diwali, including Idli (rice cakes), Murukku, Ribbon Pakoda, Appam, Athirasam and many others
(By PJeganathan, Wikimedia Commons)
27. A Variety of different Diwali mithai (sweets)
(By Amila Tennakoon, Wikimedia Commons)
28. Trays of sweets made available on Diwali, a major shopping day for festive mithai
(By Kanwar Sandhu, Wikimedia Commons)
Also known as Deepavali (or Deepawali), celebrations for this festival are held all across the world.
29. Diwali Celebrations in Melbourne, Australia
(By Gundopant, Wikimedia Commons)
30. Diwali celebrations with cultural events like dancing and singing in Canada
(By Simon Fraser University Public Affairs and Media Relations, Wikimedia Commons)
31. Diwali Dance performance in Hamburg, Germany
(By John Heaven, Wikimedia Commons)
32. Diwali Event at Trafalgar Square in London, England, United Kingdom
(By LBM1948, Wikimedia Commons)
33. Barack Obama, former US President and First Lady Michelle Obama lighting the lamp to celebrate Diwali in a school in Mumbai, India
(By Ministry of External Affairs (GODL-India), Wikimedia Commons)
34. President Barack Obama receiving a Red Shawl from a Hindu Priest for Diwali, in the Blue Room of the White House
(By Pete Souza, Wikimedia Commons)
35. President Donald Trump participating in the ceremonial lighting of the Diya for Diwali
(By The White House from Washington, DC - Ceremonial Lighting of the Diya, Wikimedia Commons)
All in all, Diwali is five days of non-stop celebration and fun that absolutely anyone can join in on! So here’s wishing all of you a….
(By Mat Fascione, Wikimedia Commons)
