Washington. Diwali, the festival of lights, is no longer limited to India only. Its shine and splendor can be seen even across the seven seas. From the White House of America to Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Australia, this festival of lights is celebrated with different traditions and cultural colors. This time US President Donald Trump will also participate in the Diwali celebrations by lighting the traditional lamp in the Oval Office of the White House. At the same time, in many countries of the world, the Indian community is celebrating this festival with full enthusiasm while cherishing its culture and heritage.
Diwali is not only a festival of lighting lamps and spreading happiness, but also a symbol of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. This is the reason why people of Indian origin living in different countries celebrate this festival according to their traditions. Somewhere animals and birds are worshiped for five days, while somewhere lamps made of banana leaves are floated in rivers. In Fiji it is a national public holiday, while in Singapore and Thailand Diwali is celebrated with grand cultural events.
Diwali lamp will be lit again in the White House
US President Donald Trump will attend Diwali celebrations at the Oval Office of the White House on Friday. During this time the lamp will be lit in the traditional manner. The tradition of celebrating Diwali at the White House started during the tenure of former President George W Bush. In 2009, then President Barack Obama became the first US President to light a lamp in the East Room of the White House. Last year also, Trump celebrated Diwali by lighting a lamp in the Oval Office. The then Ambassador of India Vinay Kwatra was also present on this occasion.
Diwali also included in UNESCO's list
Diwali has also received special recognition at the global level. In the year 2025, UNESCO included Diwali in the representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This recognition underlines the religious importance of this festival as well as its vibrant cultural traditions.
Diwali celebration lasts for five days in Nepal
The tradition of Diwali in neighboring country Nepal is somewhat different from India. Here, crows, dogs, cows and bulls are worshiped in this festival which lasts for five days. Bhai Dooj is celebrated on the last day, when sisters apply seven-coloured tilak to their brothers and pray for their long life and happiness and prosperity.
Diwali lamps sparkle in Pakistan too
The Hindu community in Sindh province of Pakistan celebrates Diwali with full enthusiasm. Houses are decorated, lamps are lit and Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi are worshipped. Family members come together to share the joy of the festival.
Diwali is celebrated as Kali Puja in Bangladesh
The Hindu community in Bangladesh celebrates Diwali mainly as Kali Puja i.e. Shyama Puja. On this occasion, Goddess Kali is worshiped in temples and puja pandals. Houses are decorated with lamps and candles and at many places religious rituals continue throughout the night.
Tradition of shedding banana leaves in Deepak river in Sri Lanka
Diwali is celebrated with special traditions in the Tamil Hindu community of Sri Lanka. In the morning, after taking bath with oil and making rangoli at the doors of the houses, lamps are lit. Here the tradition of floating small lamps made of banana leaves in the river is also seen.
Special identity of 'Green Diwali' in Malaysia
In Malaysia, Diwali is also known as 'Hari Diwali' or 'Green Diwali'. Due to the ban on firecrackers here, houses and roads are illuminated with lamps instead of fireworks. This festival is celebrated in recognition of the killing of Narakasura by Lord Krishna and the victory of good over evil.
Singapore's Little India is illuminated with thousands of lamps
During Diwali in Singapore, the beauty of Little India is worth seeing. Colorful lights, flower decorations, thousands of oil lamps and huge elephant-peacock sculptures attract people. Here Diwali becomes a beautiful confluence of Indian culture and Singapore's multicultural identity.
Mega celebration of Diwali for a month in Thailand
To attract Indian tourists, seven big events are proposed in Thailand from November 3 to 29 under the 'Amazing Thailand Grand Diwali Festival 2026'. Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket are witnessing the excitement of Diwali through cultural programs, traditional events and festivals related to Indian cuisine.
A glimpse of Indian culture is also visible in Bali, Indonesia.
The ancient imprint of Indian culture is also visible in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country. Especially in the island of Bali, Hindu population is in majority. Although Diwali is not celebrated as widely as in India, Indian expatriate communities and cultural institutions organize special events on the occasion.
Fiji's Diwali is linked to the heritage of indentured laborers
Diwali is a national public holiday in Fiji. The history of this festival here is linked to the heritage of Indian indentured labourers. The migration that started with 463 Indian laborers who arrived on the ship 'Leonidas' in 1879 later reached thousands of people. Their descendants have kept Indian culture and the tradition of Diwali alive through temples, Ramayan troupes and schools.
Celebration of fairs and cultural programs in Australia
Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Fairs, music, dance and food related programs are organized here by the Indian community. Sydney's Harris Park and Melbourne's Federation Square become major attractions of Diwali celebrations.
Diwali celebration from Auckland to Wellington in New Zealand
In New Zealand too, the celebration of Diwali has become an important part of multicultural identity. Auckland hosts one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the Southern Hemisphere. Whereas in the capital Wellington, a glimpse of Indian culture can be seen through music, dance and artistic presentations. Along with the Indian community, people from other cultures also participate enthusiastically in these events. In this way, the ways of celebrating Diwali may be different in different countries of the world, but everywhere the message of this festival is the same: love, harmony, happiness and victory of light over darkness.