Diwali Outside India

Posted on August 11, 2007 in Diwali Celebrations

Celebrating Diwali Outside India

Diwali all over the world is observed with a great deal of excitement and enthusiasm. Hindus celebrate Diwali outside India chiefly in Guyana, Fiji, Malaysia, Nepal, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore, Srilanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Britain, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Africa, and Australia. Indians as well celebrate Diwali in places as distant as South America.


Diwali in the Hindu Kingdom

Diwali is referred to as ‘Tihar’ in Nepal. On this day people pay their obeisance to goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. On the first day of Diwali, the cows are worshipped as Goddess Lakshmi and cooked rice is provided to them. On the second day, dogs receive special treatment as the carrier of Bhairava and are fed with food, specifically cooked for them. On the third day, houses are decorated with colorful lights and lamps and delicacies are cooked and fireworks and crackers form an integral part of the celebrations. The fourth day, is dedicated to the appeasement of Yama, the Hindu God of Death, to seek his blessings for long life. On the fifth and the final day, Bhaiya Dooj is observed in which sisters pray for the well being and success of their brothers.


In Malaysia, Hindus observe Hari Diwali that is symbolic of the victory of good over evil. This festival is observed in the 7th month of the Hindu solar calendar. Malaysian people begin the celebrations with the customary oil bath of South India and then go to temples for offering prayers. People light up tiny lamps with coconut oil to mark the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana.


In Mauritius with a sizeable presence of Hindus, Diwali is celebrated in accordance with age-old custom. The festival is marked by the lighting of clay lamps in a series creating images out of the rows. Lakshmi is adored as the goddess of prosperity and crackers are burst to frighten away evil forces.


The Co-operative Republic of Guyana in Southern America observes Diwali in accordance with the Hindu Solar calendar. The day of the celebration is observed as a national holiday in the official calendar of Guyana. Sweets for example peras, barfi, and kheer are offered in plenty. The custom of donning fresh clothes for the people of Guyana is important particularly in this festival.


They think that putting on new clothes is symbolic of healthy souls in healthy bodies. Keeping their homes clean and illuminating them with light is a tradition aimed at lighting up the way for goddess Lakshmi so that during her visits to their home goddess Lakshmi encounters no problem since the diwali night is considered as the darkest night of the year.


The Indians who are the second biggest ethnic minority in Britain observe Diwali in a grand manner. The British city of Leicester is especially well known for its Diwali revelry.


In Britain Diwali is observed by the people with traditional enthusiasm and excitement. People go to the local temples to pay their obeisance to goddess Lakshmi. The festival in Britain is held in accordance with the Hindu solar calendar.

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