A Tamil devotee lights an oil lamp at a religious ceremony during the Diwali or Deepavali festival in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Oct. 24, 2022. Photo by Dinuka Liyanawatte/ Reuters via PBS
PBS shares the history behind Diwali, how its celebrated across the Indian diaspora.
Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India — and for Hindus in particular.
It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora. Over five days, people take part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts and prayer.
