Photos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora

By AFP and AP. Published On 8 Nov 20268 Nov 2026.

Key points

• The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in late October or early November.
• Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated throughout India and among its vast diaspora, marking one of the most notable days of the year for Hindus.
• Celebrations often include feasting, new clothes, rangoli floor designs, and the exchange of sweets and gifts with friends and neighbours.

More than one billion individuals of different faiths take part in the celebrations in the world's most populous nation, gathering for prayers, family reunions and the lighting of fireworks.

Notably, the name Diwali comes from "Deepavali", meaning "a row of lights", and plenty of families place clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

For context, the festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in late October or early November. This year, Diwali is marked on November 8.

While Diwali is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is additionally observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, with regional origin stories that share a common theme – the victory of good over evil.

For now, photos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.