Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most celebrated festivals in India and has gained popularity worldwide due to its vibrant colors, lights, and cultural significance. But did you know that some countries have declared Diwali a national holiday? Here’s a look at 10 countries outside of India where Diwali is celebrated as a public holiday!
Diwali 2024 Date: Will It Be on October 31 or November 1?
1. India
Diwali or the festival of lights, originating from India, acquires a massive importance among different religious communities within the country. Being celebrated as a national holiday, Diwali represents the triumph of good over evil and of light over darkness. Everywhere Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists celebrate this solemn occasion with excitement and gaiety, hence found among the most important festivals of the country’s cultural and religious calendar.
Celebration Highlights: People decorate homes with lamps, burst fireworks, exchange gifts, and worship the goddess Lakshmi for prosperity.
2. Nepal
Diwali, also called Tihar in Nepal, is a major public holiday that lasts for five days. It is special because, apart from the gods of Hindus, it pays homage to animals as well. During this festival, the cows, dogs, and crows, among other domesticated and wild animals, are worshipped and glorified. Every day of Tihar has its form of rituals, presentations, and customs, making it a happy and colorful event that shows and promotes the great cultural wealth of Nepal.
Celebration Highlights: Houses are decorated with rangolis and oil lamps, and traditional rituals include animal worship and the lighting of diyas.
3. Sri Lanka
Diwali has gained much importance in the places where the Tamil population is very large in Sri Lanka. Colombo, the vociferous capital and Northern Province, which boasts of the thick cultural diversity, even declares Diwali a public holiday. There was an unending array of traditional rituals, vibrant adornments, and many more miscellaneous events to fill the air with festivity and infuse the feeling of Diwali into the community.
Celebration Highlights: The celebrations include lighting oil lamps, decorating homes, and performing pujas, particularly among the Tamil community.
4. Mauritius
Mauritius celebrates Diwali with a lot of enthusiasm since the island nation is an abode to the most significant population of Indians. It is an important festival and a public holiday during that period. The color kaleidoscope lights the island, and everybody relates to the joyous spectacular way of its grandeur during this festive season. Mauritians celebrate Diwali along with all its joys inside their country for its reaffirmation of it is also a very special event of the year looked upon eagerly by all the people and tourists.
Celebration Highlights: Families create intricate rangolis, and light lamps, and prepare traditional sweets to mark the festival.
5. Fiji
Diwali is such a huge celebration in Fiji because it features an important percentage of the Indo-Fijian population. This public holiday is traditionally celebrated with much passion and enthusiasm. Streets and homes are bedecked with scintillating light decorations, coupled with the recognizable smell of their traditional food circulating in the air. The festival brings families and the community closer to one another through unity and cultural exchange. Diwali in Fiji offers just a great combination of Indian traditions and Fijian hospitality view people never forget.
Celebration Highlights: Fijians observe Diwali with traditional songs, sweets, and decorations, lighting up their homes with diyas and lanterns.
6. Guyana
Diwali, the festival of lights, has been a national holiday for many years in Guyana. This festival is very significant and will be celebrated with utmost enthusiasm by the Indo-Guyanese population, who form a big percentage of the country’s population. Diwali holds much importance in Guyana and its celebrations add volumes to the rich cultural heritage and the tradition of the Indo-Guyanese community.
Celebration Highlights: Traditional customs like decorating homes, lighting diyas, and performing pujas are observed widely across the country.
7. Suriname
The country-wide celebration here celebrates an important public holiday as the country has a significant number of Hindus. Tremendous joy and enthusiasm see this country-wide celebration. On Diwali, homes and temples are decorated with colorful lights, and different traditional delicacies are prepared. Gifts are exchanged, and blessings are provided to families and friends. This festival, vibrant atmosphere, and festive spirit unite people and foster a sense of community and harmony.
Celebration Highlights: People decorate their homes with rangolis and lights and exchange sweets with neighbors to honor the festival.
8. Trinidad and Tobago
In a broader term, Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. It coincidentally occurs as one of the significant public holidays in the nation of Trinidad and Tobago. This festival finds a very special place in the Indo-Trinidadian community, which has played a vital role in shaping the rich cultural tapestry of Trinidad and Tobago. The time for celebration, reflection, and bonding in families and the community has finally arrived with Diwali.
Celebration Highlights: Communities come together to light oil lamps, cook traditional dishes, and enjoy fireworks displays.
9. Malaysia
Deepavali is an important festival, which is predominantly celebrated in Malaysia by people of states having a high percentage of the Hindu population. It is officially recognized as a federal holiday. Deepavali is indeed a chance to celebrate the rich heritage of the Hindu community. There is beautiful coloring of various decorations during the festival; Readymade sweets and traditional kinds of sweets are made; family members meet each other and exchange gifts and blessings. This is why the festival becomes joyful for everyone.
Celebration Highlights: Houses are decorated with kolams, and lights, and temples hold special prayer sessions, particularly in the states of Selangor, Penang, and Kuala Lumpur.
10. Singapore
Diwali, in simple words known as Deepavali, is a festival of great importance for the Hindus living in Singapore. Diwali is indeed one of the public holidays in the country since there are a substantial number of Hindus in the country. This festival is about light and the victory of good over evil, which also symbolizes the beginning of a Hindu New Year. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and warmth since it brings people together, and fosters a culture of joy, harmony, and oneness.
Celebration Highlights: Little India in Singapore comes alive with stunning light displays, festive markets, and cultural performances.
Why is Diwali Celebrated as a National Holiday in These Countries?
Some have argued that the festival of lights, Diwali, has transcended cultural boundaries, thus becoming a national festival in several other countries apart from India. This is largely because Indians or Hindus constitute considerable parts of the population in those countries. During the colonial period, for instance, there was massive Indian immigration into Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. So, by way of integration, Diwali got embedded into the culture of such societies. The presence of Diwali in their national calendars is a testament to the deep influence of Indian traditions and customs, great contributors to the tapestry of cultural diversity in these nations.
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For all its goodness, Diwali’s true spirit transcends borders and brings people around the world together to unite in celebrating harmony and prosperity. These 10 countries embrace Diwali as an identity beyond a mere festival that falls within narrow-mindedly defined national boundaries. Rather, it is a national holiday claiming the richness of its cultural diversity as a common good under the shared values of peace, prosperity, and community. For more such interesting insights, follow our culture page.
