How Diwali is Celebrated Across India and Beyond
Regional Variations
Diwali may be known as the Festival of Lights, but its brilliance shines in many different ways across India and around the world. The core message that is celebrated, one of triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, remains the same, yet every region adds its own unique flavour, customs, and stories.
From the bustling cities of North India to the coastal towns of the South, Diwali reflects the cultural diversity of the Indian subcontinent. Let’s explore how this radiant festival takes on different forms and meanings across regions and communities.
Browse Fireworks for Diwali
North India - The Return of Lord Rama
In North India, Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after his victory over the demon king Ravana. According to the Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya welcomed him home by lighting rows of clay lamps, a tradition that continues to this day.
Homes are decorated with diyas, colourful rangoli (patterns made with coloured powders or flowers), and vibrant fairy lights. Families perform Lakshmi Puja, offering prayers to the Goddess of Wealth, and celebrate with feasts, fireworks, and the exchange of sweets and gifts.
In cities such as Delhi, Varanasi, and Jaipur, the festivities are truly spectacular, with illuminated temples, markets bursting with colour, and fireworks lighting up the night sky.
Western India - Prosperity and New Beginnings
In Gujarat, Diwali marks the start of a new year, and it is deeply tied to business and prosperity. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, and shopkeepers close their old account books and open new ones in a ceremony called Chopda Pujan, praying for wealth and success in the coming year.
In Maharashtra, families celebrate Diwali with early morning oil baths, the making of faral (a traditional spread of sweet and savoury snacks), and the bursting of crackers. The celebrations here also include Bali Pratipada, symbolising the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon king Bali.
Eastern India - The Power of the Divine Feminine
In West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam, Diwali coincides with Kali Puja, honouring Goddess Kali, the fierce form of Goddess Durga. Temples and homes are adorned with oil lamps, and elaborate rituals are performed late into the night to seek the goddess’s protection from evil forces.
Unlike in other regions where Lakshmi is the central deity, Kali takes the spotlight here, representing strength, destruction of evil, and the renewal of energy. In Kolkata, the atmosphere is electrifying, temples glow with candles, chants fill the air, and devotion blends seamlessly with festivity.
Browse Diyas, Candles & Lights
South India - The Triumph of Lord Krishna and Narakasura
In South India, Diwali (known as Deepavali) is celebrated a day earlier than in the North. This is linked to the story of Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura, symbolising the defeat of darkness and ignorance.
The day begins with an early morning oil bath, followed by prayers, wearing new clothes, and sharing sweets. Families light lamps and burst crackers throughout the day rather than at night.
In states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival also includes the preparation of special dishes like Deepavali lehiyam (a herbal sweet paste) and traditional desserts such as payasam and murukku.
Central India - Simplicity and Spiritual Reflection
In Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, Diwali retains its traditional roots. People light diyas to honour Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, decorate their homes with rangoli, and enjoy folk music and dance performances. In some rural areas, Diwali marks the end of the harvest season and a time to give thanks for the year’s bounty.
Beyond Hinduism - Diwali in Other Indian Traditions
Diwali’s message of light and renewal goes beyond Hinduism.
Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the release of the sixth Guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, from captivity. The Golden Temple in Amritsar glows beautifully with thousands of lamps and fireworks.
Jains observe Diwali as the day when Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankara, attained moksha (liberation). It is a time for spiritual reflection and peace.
Buddhists (Newar Buddhists) in Nepal also celebrate Diwali, known as Tihar, honouring various animals and deities over five days.
Diwali Around the World
As Indian communities have spread across the globe, they have carried Diwali’s spirit with them, turning it into an international celebration of light, culture, and unity.
In the United Kingdom, cities like Leicester and London host some of the largest Diwali celebrations outside India, complete with music, parades, and fireworks.
In Singapore and Malaysia, vibrant street decorations and bazaars fill areas like Little India with life and colour.
In Fiji, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius, and Guyana, Diwali is a public holiday, celebrated by diverse communities regardless of religion or background.
In Nepal, the festival of Tihar includes honouring crows, dogs, cows, and brothers, each day dedicated to a different bond of life.
Across continents, Diwali has become a symbol of cultural pride and global unity, bridging communities through shared joy and light.
A Festival with Many Faces, One Spirit
No matter where it’s celebrated, in a small Indian village, a British high street, or a temple in Singapore — Diwali’s heart remains the same. It is a celebration of hope, love, light, and the eternal belief that goodness will always prevail.
The regional variations only add to its richness, making Diwali not just a single story, but a thousand stories woven together by light.
