Interesting facts about Diwali, in India and around the world
Ayodhya's record-breaking Deepotsav, the stock market's muhurat trading, green crackers and the countries where Diwali is a public holiday — Diwali facts.
Rohit Tandon · 14 October 2026 · 4 min read
Diwali is not a festival of one night but a season that changes the mood of the whole country — markets are decorated, homes shine and people who live far away come home. Here are interesting facts about Diwali that show how the festival is celebrated in India and around the world. Read why it is celebrated in Why is Diwali celebrated.
The many colours of Diwali in India
- Ayodhya's Deepotsav: since 2017 the Uttar Pradesh government has held "Deepotsav" every year on the ghats of the Saryu in Ayodhya. Lakhs of lamps are lit together, and the event has set Guinness World Records several times.
- Muhurat trading: on Diwali evening the stock exchanges (BSE and NSE) hold a special "muhurat trading" session of about an hour, because many investors see this time as auspicious for a new start.
- A new year: in Gujarat, the new year ("Bestu Varas") is celebrated the day after Diwali.
- Govardhan Puja and Annakut: the day after Diwali, in Mathura-Vrindavan and many parts of the country, Lord Krishna is offered a feast of 56 dishes ("chhappan bhog").
- South India: in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Deepavali is mainly celebrated on the morning of Naraka Chaturdashi — with an oil bath, new clothes and sweets.
Diwali around the world
| Country | What stands out |
|---|---|
| Nepal | A five-day "Tihar", in which crows, dogs and cows are also honoured |
| Singapore, Malaysia | A public holiday; in Malaysia it is "Hari Diwali" |
| Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago | Public holidays, where many people of Indian origin live |
| Britain | The Diwali celebrations in Leicester are counted among the largest outside India |
| United States | Diwali has been celebrated at the White House since 2003; New York City's public schools have a Diwali holiday |
Did you know? Nepal's Tihar festival has a day called "Kukur Tihar", when dogs are garlanded and given a tilak to thank them for their loyalty.
Traditions and the reasons behind them
- Cleaning: homes are cleaned and painted before Diwali. After the rains, this is also a practical way to rid the house of damp and insects.
- Rangoli: rangoli at the door ("kolam" in the south, "rangoli" in Maharashtra, "alpana" in Bengal) welcomes guests and Lakshmi.
- Diyas: clay lamps are lit with mustard oil or ghee. Each lamp stands for the victory of light over darkness.
- Sweets and gifts: sharing sweets and visiting relatives and neighbours is the most loved Diwali tradition. Many families also give gifts and sweets to those who work for them.
Firecrackers and the environment
Around Diwali the air quality in many cities becomes very poor. So in 2018 the scientific body CSIR-NEERI developed low-pollution "green crackers", which give off less smoke and fewer harmful particles than ordinary crackers. In many states and cities, rules set by the courts and governments limit the time and type of crackers — they must be followed while celebrating.
Key points
- Ayodhya's Deepotsav, with lakhs of lamps, has set world records several times.
- There is an hour of muhurat trading on the stock exchanges on Diwali evening.
- In Nepal Diwali is called "Tihar", and animals are honoured too.
- Diwali is a public holiday in Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji and several other countries.
- CSIR-NEERI developed green crackers in 2018 to cut pollution.
Frequently asked questions
Which countries have a holiday on Diwali?
Besides India: Nepal, Singapore, Malaysia, Mauritius, Fiji, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Lanka, among others.
What is muhurat trading?
A special trading session of about an hour on the stock exchanges on Diwali evening, which many investors see as an auspicious start.
Read more: Interesting facts about Indian culture · Interesting facts · Today's quiz.
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