Here brief accounts of Diwali celebration in various countries are given as below-

 

United Kingdom

To Indians Britain is another homeland. They celebrate Diwali with great fun and fare. To avoid nostalgic feeling they visit local temples of Laxmiji and Ganeshaji, blow conch shell. The festival here is celebrated according to Hindu calendar, which falls in the extreme of cold. Deeyas and Candles also play their role in maintaing the enthusiasm.

 

Guyana 

Guyana, is located on the northeast coast of south America. The Republic celebrates Diwali according to Hindu solar calendar. The festival day is declared as national holiday. Cleaning of house, decoration, wearing new cloths, greeting each other and exchanging sweets as a social jesture. The sweets offered usually consist of Peda, Barfi and Kheer. In the night the entire Republic illuminates to welcome Goddess Laxmiji.

 

Indonesia

Although the majority population of Indonesia is Muslim, yet Hindus constitute almost 2% of Indonesian population. In the island of Bali, the celebration of Diwali is akin to that of their counterparts in India.

 

Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the mesmerising spot in the world. The Hindu community of Malaysia constitutes 8% of its total population. The Malaysians call Diwali as Hari Diwali. Here it is celebrated during the 7th month of Hindu calendar. Here the people celebrate the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana by burning lamps and candles, offering prayers at household altars. It is celebrated almost all over the Malaysia except in Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan.

 

Mauritius 

Mauritius accounts 63% of Indian. In Mauritius Diwali celebration is an age old tradition. The festival is marked by lightening of earthen lamps. Laxmiji is worshiped as the Goddess of wealth and crackers are burnt to scare away evil spirits.

 

Nepal

Nepal, a multilingual society, is the only Hindu Kingdom of the world. Diwali in Nepal is Know as Tihar. The Goddess of wealth and prosperity Laxmiji and Ganesha are worshiped on the day of Amavasya as in India. The festival continues for five days. The first day is dedicated to cows, believing that Goddess Laxmi comes on cow. The second day, to the dog as a vahan of bhairon. Delicious food is prepared for the dogs. On third day some special food items are made. Fourth day is dedicated to Yama and fifth day is Bhaiya Dooj. All the five days, lights and lamps are lit to illuminate the surrounding.

 

South Africa

Most of the Indian immigrants are concentrated in the eastern region of Natal and Transvaal of the country. Due to majority of Hindu population Hindu festivals are celebrated with same enthusiasm and tradition as in India 

 

Trinidad and Tobago 

In this country the Diwali celebration has a unique flavour. The festival day is regarded as the day to unify the nation. There is national holiday on this day. The ministers of the government also participate in the celebrations. The celebrations continue for a week and the head quarter of the National council of Indian culture at Diwali Nagar becomes the cynosure of all the eyes.

 

Myanmar

People in Myanmar celebrates Diwali with great fervor. Here Diwali is one of the festivals that are celebrated according to Hindu calendar. The celebrations begin with worshiping God. Good number of lights and lamps are displayed and delicious food and sweets are cooked. Dancing and music follow to mark the occasion.

 

Singapore

In Singapore Diwali is considered as a festival of unity. Hindus celebrate Diwali by displaying lights and candle decoration. Crackers are not sold, but sparklers can be bought. ''Little India'' on Serangoon road is decorated with lights. There are 18 temples in the country and it is customary to offer prayer at the temples.      

 

Sri Lanka

The festival is marked by illumination, making of toys of enamel and making of divine figures out of crystal sugar i.e. Misiri. Exploding of crackers in the evening is in vogue. Sri Lanka's celebration of Diwali may lack many of the traditional aspects such as games, fireworks, singing and dancing but they never forget  the tradition of large meal.

 

Japan 

In Japan people consider Diwali as a festival of happiness prosperity and longevity in Life. Here, on this day people go out in gardens and orchard and hang paper lanterns on the tree branches. The place of worship is decorated with beautiful wallpapers. Brooming of the house is very common. Dance and music continues throughout the night.

 

Thailand 

In Thailand Diwali is celebrated under the name of Lam Kriyongh during the month of October-November. The festival has almost similar ways of celebration away home in India. Diyas are made with banana leaves in the centre of which candle is placed, with a coin and incense. People great each other and sweets of various kinds are distributed.

 

Tanzania 

In Kenya and Tanzania, Hindus are well respected minority, having considerable economic influence. They celebrate Diwali in a same manner as in India such as illumination of lamps, worshiping Laxmiji and Ganeshji, distribution of sweets etc. It is declared national holiday in Kenya.

 

Australia

Due to appreciating Hindu population Diwali is one of the major festivals that is celebrated in Australia, with great jest and zeal. The lightening of Diyas is common practice; Rest other things are done with slight modern touch to keep the flame of Diwali alive. Although the non-availability of the appropriate material has influenced the spirit of the festival.

 

Surinam 

The Indians in Surinam call themselves as “Hindustani” instead of Indian. Although there is no declared official holiday for Diwali, still there is no dearth of enthusiasm on the part of Hindus. Houses are washed properly, clean and new clothes are worn, lightening of the homes, visiting temples worshiping Goddess Laxmiji and distribution of sweets are common sight on this day.

 

Fiji

Diwali is celebrated with much enthusiasm in Fiji. It is national holiday on Diwali and non-Hindus participate to imbibe enjoyment. Taking advantage of the beautiful festival people reaffirm the bond of love shared with loved ones. Schools organize Diwali celebration by organising singing, essay writing, quiz, rangoli making and Diwali greeting cards designing competition. Laxmiji is worshiped in traditional ways.