India's Diwali is ongoing this year, typically falling in late October or early November. Meaning “a row of lights,” it is the most important festival in India, celebrated by over a billion people across different faiths.

New Delhi

Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, is celebrated across India and around the world by lighting rows of clay oil lamps, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. Traditional celebrations also include setting off firecrackers, though several northern Indian states have imposed bans or restrictions to address rising air pollution, with the Supreme Court permitting only less-polluting 'green' fireworks.

Despite the push for green firecrackers, demand remains low compared to conventional ones, which are largely banned from sale. In Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, festivities included lighting a record 2.6 million clay oil lamps along the river believed to be the birthplace of the Hindu god Rama. Diwali is celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide and spans multiple faiths.

India celebrates Diwali, the festival of lights

The word Diwali derives from the word Deepavali, which means a row of lights. People light rows of clay oil lamps to symbolize the victory of light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Setting off firecrackers is part of tradition. Several northern states had instituted total or partial bans to combat rising air pollution during the festival. India's Supreme Court recently allowed the sale of green fireworks, believed to be less polluting. We should understand and cooperate. If people want, they can buy unauthorized firecrackers. But it is better to celebrate with green ones and with sweets. Demand for green firecrackers is low. The conventional ones are usually in demand, but they're banned, so we're not selling them. In Ayodhya, in Uttar Pradesh, in India's far north, celebrations have included lighting a record 2.6 million clay oil lamps. That's 100,000 more than last year. People did that along the river where Hindus believe the god Rama was born. There will be events worldwide, with Diwali celebrated across faiths by more than one billion people.

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