- Golden Temple
Temple in India
Spread over five days, Diwali is a celebration of good conquering evil, and light overcoming dark. The religious festival originates in India, and is marked around the world by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. This marble-and-gold-leaf temple is a central worship place for Sikhs, who visit during Diwali to celebrate "Bandi Chhor Divas." This day coincides with Diwali, but remembers Guru Hargobind and 52 others, who were released from prison in the early 1600s.
- Mustafa Centre
Supermarket in Singapore
In preparation for the first day of Diwali, known as Dhanteras, homes are cleaned and a flurry of shopping takes place. New outfits, gifts and sweets are bought and it is customary to buy gold or silver jewelry. "Deepavali," as it is known in Singapore, marks a major shopping season as people prepare for festivities, stocking up at malls like this one in Little India.
- Temple of the Emerald Buddha
Wat in Bangkok, Thailand
Diwali remembers the tale of Ramayana, an ancient epic, retold in wall paintings within this Thai temple complex. The story goes that Sita, a reincarnation of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, was stolen by an evil demon called Ravana, and had to be rescued by her husband, Lord Rama. The second day of Diwali celebrates Lord Rama's success in defeating the demon.
- Arulmigu Astalakshmi Temple
Hindu temple in Chennai, India
This temple honors the goddess Lakshmi, considered a key protagonist within this festive season. According to the Hindu faith, the third day of Diwali is known as Lakshmi Puja, and is a time when the goddess is worshipped. Associated with good fortune, she is welcomed into homes with rangoli, patterns drawn with flowers and chalks in doorways. Following in the footsteps of those who lit candles to guide Lord Rama and Sita home, simple clay lamps called diyas are lit during Diwali, guiding Lakshmi into homes.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
Historical landmark in Kathmandu, Nepal
In Nepal, Diwali is known as “Tihar,” and particular emphasis is placed on celebrating different animals. Over the first few days locals famously celebrate crows by offering them food, and dogs by marking their foreheads with a pigment dot, known as a tika.
- Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre
Community center in Leicester, England
The fifth and final day of Diwali is called Bhai Dooj, and it is a time to celebrate relationships with close family. Typically, brothers and sisters will share gifts, say prayers for one another and enjoy delicious sweet snacks, known as mithai. Across the UK families join these rituals, with some of the largest Diwali celebrations outside of India taking place here in Leicester.
- Dattatreya Temple Compound
Hindu temple in Carapichaima, Trinidad and Tobago
A large East Indian and Hindu population makes this Carribean island a popular destination to celebrate Diwali. Many shows and social gatherings take place over the 5-day period. This temple features a gigantic statue of Lord Hanuman, the Hindu god who helped Lord Rama defeat the evil Ravana.
- Dashrath Mahal Ayodhya
Hindu temple in Ayodhya, India
Honoring Lord Rama and Sita, this temple is found in the ancient city said to be the same that they returned to after 14 years of exile. In the past, this key site has staged water shows and large-scale reenactments of the Ramayana along the nearby river Sarayu.