Diwali might be India’s biggest festival but did you know that India is not the only place where Diwali is celebrated? There are other places around the world that celebrate Diwali with equal enthusiasm and you will be surprised to know what countries those are.
Nepal
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The Nepalese call Diwali, Tihar. The festivities in Nepal last for five days and each day has its very own significance. It’s interesting to know that out of the five days, the Nepalese honor and pray to animals like the crow, the cow and the dog, known as Kaag Puja, Gai Puja and Kukur Puja respectively. They also have women and young girls go from home to home, singing and blessing the homes on Laxmi Puja day much like the carol singing on Christmas and the men do the same after the bhai teeka or bhai dooj as Indians call it.
Mauritius
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The people of Mauritius enjoy a public holiday like us too! Even though Diwali in Mauritius is celebrated mostly by the Hindu Just like in India, earthen lamps are lit outside homes and rangolis are made outside homes to celebrate Diwali.
Fiji
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Fiji celebrates Diwali with enthusiasm just like India does. There too the people clean their houses, exchange sweets, and gifts and shop for new clothes. Some of them even host Diwali parties.
Thailand
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Diwali in Thailand is called Loi Krathong which literally means, to float a basket. Diwali is observed on the full moon day of the 12th month according to the Thai calendar. Besides fireworks, floating lamps made of rice paper are released in the sky and lamps made of banana leaves and candles are set afloat in the water bodies. Cultural performances, boat parades are a huge part of the Diwali celebrations as well.
Indonesia
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Another country to witness the beautiful sight of the floating llanterns on Diwali is Indonesia. Diwali here is celebrated with much fanfare.even though there is a handful of Hindu population in Indonesia. Here too the rituals followed by the Idian community are similar to India and they too go for shopping for new clothes and sweets, burst crackers and release floating lanterns during Diwali.
Malaysia
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Malaysia observes a public holiday on Diwali too where Diwali is known as Hari Diwali. It’s interesting to know that like in some parts of India, in Malaysia too the festival begins with the traditional ritual of bathing in oil before dawn, after which prayers are The streets too are beautifully lit up just like in our country
Guyana
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The people in the Republic of Guyana, in South America celebrates Diwali as per the Hindu calendar. They too have a national holiday on Diwali. The celebrations are the same as in India, where it is believed that the distribution of sweet during Diwali, signifies the marks the triumph of good over evil.
