NEW DELHI — Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Monday, as homes, temples, and streets across the country were illuminated with lamps to mark the Hindu festival symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.
Derived from the Sanskrit word Deepavali, meaning “a row of lights,” Diwali is traditionally observed with social gatherings, gift-giving, and the lighting of earthen lamps. The festival’s date follows the Hindu lunar calendar, usually falling in late October or early November.
Markets across India were filled with shoppers purchasing flowers, lanterns, and candles in preparation for the celebrations.
The most spectacular display took place in Ayodhya, a city in Uttar Pradesh believed by Hindus to be the birthplace of the deity Lord Ram. The lighting of lamps there commemorates his return after 14 years in exile.
As dusk fell on Sunday, over 2.6 million lamps illuminated the banks of the Saryu River, matching last year’s Guinness World Record. Around 2,100 Hindu priests performed prayers simultaneously, their chants resonating across the brightly lit riverfront.
The holy city was adorned with fairy lights, and a laser and fireworks show brightened the skyline. Thousands of residents participated by lighting lamps at their homes and temples.
Authorities reported that more than 33,000 volunteers helped light the lamps. Nearly 40 families from nearby villages produced 1.6 million of them, using an estimated 73,000 liters of oil and 5.5 million cotton wicks.
“It is hard work lighting diyas (oil lamps) one by one,” said 19-year-old volunteer Rachit Singh, his face glowing in the firelight. “But when you see the whole ghat (stairs to the river) light up, every bit of effort feels worth it.”
In the capital, New Delhi, celebrations were tempered by persistent concerns over air pollution. Firecrackers, a traditional part of Diwali festivities, often contribute to dense smog that lingers for days.
On Monday, air quality levels rose sharply, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaching 347 on the air quality index about 14 times the World Health Organization’s recommended daily maximum according to SAFAR, India’s federal air monitoring agency.
Last week, the Supreme Court relaxed a blanket ban on firecrackers in New Delhi, allowing limited use of “green firecrackers” designed to emit fewer pollutants. Developed by federal research institutions, these eco-friendly versions are said to reduce particulate and gas emissions by about 30%.
The court also specified that firecrackers could only be used during designated hours from Saturday through Tuesday.
Beyond India, Hindus across the world also marked the festival with devotion and joy. In Melbourne, Australia, Indian communities and local Hindus celebrated Diwali with friends and family, sharing traditional foods and holding private light ceremonies to honor the spirit of the festival.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
