Diwali Around the World

Diwali across the world is also celebrated with fun and frolic. Outside India mainly in Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, and Australia the Hindus celebrate Diwali. Places as far as Southern America have record of celebrating Diwali. Here is a picture of Diwali celebration around the world.

Worldwide Diwali Celebration

In Nepal
Diwali is known as 'Tihar' in Nepal. Lakshmi and Ganesha are worshipped here. On the 1st day, the cows are revered as Goddess Lakshmi and are fed with cooked rice. On the 2nd day, dogs are revered as the carrier of Bhairava and are fed with delicious food, especially prepared for them. On the 3rd day, houses are illuminated and decorated with lights and lamps and delicacies are prepared and fireworks and crackers are the favorites of the day. On the 4th day, prayers and offerings are made to Yama, the Hindu God of Death, to please him and be blessed by him with long life. On the 5th and the last day, Bhaiya Dooj is celebrated in which sisters pray for long life and prosperity of their brothers.

In Malaysia
Malaysia has about 8% Hindu population who celebrate Hari Diwali that symbolizes triumph of good over evil. This festival is celebrated during the 7th month of the Hindu solar calendar. Malaysian people start off with the traditional oil bath of South India and then visit the temples and pray. Small earthen lamps with coconut oil are lit to commemorate the victory of Lord Rama over the demon-king Ravana. Diwali is celebrated in most parts of Malaysia except in the regions of Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan.

Diwali celebrations in Mauritius
Mauritius accounts a 63% of Indian majority of which 80% follow Hinduism. In Mauritius, Diwali celebration is an age-old tradition. It holds special significance for the natives, who believe that Diwali has been celebrated even long before the return of Lord Rama from 14 years of exile and his coronation as the king. The festival is marked by lightening of earthen lamps in rows making images out of the rows. Lakshmi is worshipped as the goddess of wealth and crackers are burnt to scare away evil spirits.

Diwali celebrations in Guyana
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana in Southern America celebrates Diwali according to the Hindu Solar calendar. The day of the festival is declared as a national holiday in the official calendar of Guyana. Sweets such as peras, barfi, and kheer are distributed. The tradition of wearing new cloth for the people of Guyana is significant especially in this festival. They believe that wearing new cloth is the symbol of healthy souls in healthy bodies. Cleaning of their homes and keeping them well illuminated in and outside is a practice meant to illuminate the road for Goddess Lakshmi so that while goddess Lakshmi visits their home she faces no problem of light as the diwali night is regarded as the darkest night of the year.