Do you know that the most celebrated festival of India - Diwali is not just India’s festival. It is celebrated with much fanfare and enthusiasm in different parts of the world just like we Indians do. Of course there are Indians in every part of the world and they form their own communities to celebrate Diwali even in foreign land but there are some countries where this auspicious day is declared a public holiday and the entire city seems to be lighting bright and colorful. Let’s see which the other countries are and how they celebrate Diwali:
1. Sri Lanka
With the citation of Sri Lanka in Ramayana Diwali is celebrated with much significance here. There is large number of Tamil inhabitants in Sri Lanka who celebrate Diwali there pretty much like India. Goddess is worshipped, houses are illuminated with lights, and people enjoy sumptuous traditional meals here.
2. Malaysia
Diwali in Malaysia is known as Hari Diwali and is celebrated almost all over the country. People bath in oil here on this day after which they offer prayers and visit temples. It is a public holiday on this day in Malaysia although fireworks are banned here. Houses and streets can be seen lit up with diyas, paper lamps called kolam and colorful flowers.
3. Fiji Islands
Due to Fiji’s large Indian population, Diwali is celebrated with all the enthusiasm on the islands of Fiji. Diwali day is a public holiday in Fiji. People here also celebrate with elaborate light and candle decorations. They offer prayers, exchange gifts and sweets with the loved ones. Here several schools and universities also organise Diwali party to let children understand social and cultural significance of Diwali. Essay writing, quiz, singing and rangoli competitions are all part of celebrations.
4. Nepal
Diwali is also known as Tihar in Nepal and is a five day-long Hindu festival that is celebrated with much fervor and excitement. This is the second biggest Nepalese festival after Dashain. The festival is marked by prayers, decoration, lights, fireworks and sweets. Not just the goddesses, during Diwali people there also worship animals. Crow, dog and cow are the prominent animals to be worshipped followed by singing local songs and bhai tika (where sisters apply tika on forehead of their brothers) on the fifth day.
5. Bali, Indonesia
Next on our list is Indonesia where number of Indians is low but Diwali is a grand celebration. Specifically Bali where Indians are in majority, Diwali is a much talked about festival there. They celebrate it just like their counterparts in India do. So next time you plan a trip to Bali, try to be part of this celebration and you will witness Indian culture and rituals on foreign land.
In India Diwali is a grand celebration marked by prayers to goddess Laxmi, traditional cuisines, sweets, firecrackers (although it is banned in some parts of India now), lighting, home decoration with colorful rangolis and diyas etc. For some it just does not end here. Devotees stay awake till late in the night and play cards, games and burn crackers. They also exchange sweets and gifts with their loved ones, touch elders feet to seek blessings from them and visit each other's homes the next day. So all in all it is a medium to show happiness and the festival marks the victory of good over evil. So people have fun, have sweets, light candles, light diyas and celebrate Diwali with all enthusiasm. Trainman wishes its users very Happy and Prosperous Diwali!!
Copyright © Trainman, 2014-22
