The Festival of Lights is eminent not just in India and is celebrated with the same amount of eagerness in many other countries as well.
Deepawali, also known as Diwali, is one of the significant festivals of Hindus living in India and across the entire globe.
From the 13th day of the dark half of the lunar month Ashvin to the second day of the light half of the lunar month Kartika, Diwali lasts five days. The name comes from the Sanskrit phrase, which means “lights in a row.” In general, the holiday represents the triumph of light over darkness. On Thursday, November 4, 2021, the entire world will celebrate Diwali according to their own culture, tradition, and values.
Diwali and its various forms in India and the world
Diwali is celebrated in a variety of ways by people from various cultures and geographies. For some, it is a day to honour Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after fighting Evil King Ravana, while for others, it is a day to celebrate Goddess Kali’s return. Do you know that Diwali is enjoyable in other places of the world where Hindus have a large community? It is an official holiday in numerous countries, including Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, and Sri Lanka. But what makes it different from the traditional customs and beliefs that we as Indians have for our festival? Let us try to find out with the help of this blog about the Countries that celebrate Diwali, like India.
Nepal-
It is the neighbour of India, and here Diwali is called Tihar. Diwali is celebrated differently in the world’s only Hindu country than it is in India. In Nepal, the event will last for five days. Every day, a different ritual takes place. However, they, too, adore Goddess Lakshmi.
The five days of Tihar are for the worship and celebration of the four subjects linked with the Hindu deity of death Yama, with the last day set aside for the people.
Kaaga (crow) Tihar is the first day of Tihar. Nepali people venerate Crows and ravens as messengers of the death deity Yama, and offerings of grains, seeds, and sweets are left on roofs and in the streets.
The second day is Kukur (dog) Tihar, and the citizens refer to it as Khicha Puja. All dogs are given goodies and revered by wearing a tikka on their foreheads and donning flower bouquets around their necks on this day.
The third day is known as Gai (cow) Tihar. Nepali Hindus demonstrate thanks to the cow by giving them sweets and adoring them with tikas and necklaces on the third day of Tihar.
Calleja is the fourth day of Tihar, where ox’s worship takes place, and it is cherished.
In Nepal’s language, the fifth and last day of Tihar is Bhai Tika or Kija Puja. Brothers and sisters acknowledge their particular link by adoring one other on this last day. It marks the end of this festival in Nepal.
Singapore-
Views of magnificently adorned residences and the rich, musky aroma of incense sticks floating through the air is vibrant on this national holiday. During Diwali, take a stroll through the city’s “Little India,” which includes bazaars, exhibits, and rangoli art.
The attractiveness enhances with outdoor performances and colourful lighting. One can buy a new outfit for the festive season from Tekka market situated in little India.
Trinidad-
Trinidad is the more populated and comparatively larger of the two principal islands of Trinidad and Tobago. The island is located on the continental shelf of South America, 11 kilometres (6.8 miles) off the north-eastern coast of Venezuela.
Thousands of persons from the Indian states of Odisha and Bihar were transported to Trinidad in the late 1800s to serve as slaves on sugarcane plantations. After gaining freedom, these Indians assimilated into the local people. They have, however, incorporated Indian customs and rites into this practice. In 1966, the Trinidad government made ‘Diwali’ a national holiday to commemorate the end of guilt and sadness.
Indonesia-
In this country, people mostly celebrate Diwali on the Indonesian island of Bali, where Indians make up the majority of the population.
People in Bali celebrate Diwali by buying crackers, clothing, and sweets, meeting family and friends, releasing hovering lights, and executing numerous Indian-style rituals. They also have a celebration called Galungan, which symbolizes the period when ancestor spirits visit the Earth.
Thailand-
Also known as Loi Krathong, which means ‘to float a basket’, the auspicious festival of Diwali is observed on the full moon day of the Thai calendar’s 12th month. The beautiful
fireworks display will be a sight to behold for tired eyes.
Mauritius-
Mauritius: On this day, provisions are for a public holiday, mainly by the Hindu community, as they comprise nearly half of the population. On this day, people lit earthen lamps outside of homes to mark the event.
Fiji –
Diwali is celebrated with the same enthusiasm in Fiji, just as it is in India. People buy sweets, clothing, and ornamental things at various universities and schools that sponsor the event.
USA –
Diwali nights are part of Temples around the country, with priests reciting traditional prayers and a vegetarian community feast. In many regions of larger cities, a Diwali procession is also part of the festival celebration.
Key Takeaways
This blog is evidence that festivals bring people closer, irrespective of their location, time, or distance. Because of Diwali customs, we all come together in some manner to make the world a better place to live and full of happiness.
Also published on Medium.