See how communities celebrate the festival of lights all over the world.
More than 1 billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists are celebrating Diwali this week, marking the triumph of light over darkness. And while traditions like the lighting of lamps or candles, sharing sweet treats and gathering with loved ones are universal, every community has their own way of celebrating the festival of lights.
What is Diwali?
Celebrated every fall, Diwali is a five-day celebration with the main festivities and observation taking place on the third day. This year, Diwali is observed on Oct. 31.
Also known as Deepavali, Diwali is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India and around the world. Commonly shared traditions include lighting candles or lamps, setting off fireworks, exchanging gifts, playing cards and feasting with friends and loved ones.
Diwali across India
Because of India’s diverse traditions, cultures and legends, every region has their own customs when it comes to the festival of lights.
In North India, celebrations begin with cleaning and decorating. During Dusshera, a pre-Diwali festival, vibrant and colorful processions re-enact the return of Prince Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile and defeat of the demon king Ravana. People of Ayodhya lit a path in the darkness for his return along with his wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman.
Colorful, patterned artwork known as Rangoli is essential in West India, as well as the ritual of Lakshmi Puja, where people recite hymns and prayers seeking blessings from Lakshmi. They bathe her idol in panchamrit – a mixture of milk, curd, ghee or clarified butter, honey and sugar, followed by water containing a gold ornament or pearl.
In the South, prayers are offered to both Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi, and snacks like murukku, adhirasam and laddoos are traditional treats.
Goddess Kali, a symbol of power and protection, is the focus of worship in East India during Diwali, along with vibrant performances and fireworks in the evening.
For Central India, the festival of lights coincides with harvest season, so worship is extended to cattle and other livestock in gratitude.
The central story of Diwali also varies by beliefs. For Hindus, it symbolizes the return of Prince Rama and his wife and son from a 14-year exile while Jains believe Diwali is the day when the last of the Jain Tirthankaras, Lord Mahavira, attained nirvana. For Sikhs, it is a story of freedom, celebrating the victory of Guru Hargobind and 52 other princes from Emperor Jahangir.
Spreading joy and unity
Associates all around the world have helped each other and the communities they serve get in on the festivities.
Sonali Batra, chair of Walmart’s Asian Pacific Associate Network (APAN) resource group recently helped organize a Diwali celebration at the Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas. It featured live performances, traditional eats and a fireside chat with leaders across Walmart about how the lessons of Diwali impact their daily life and work. This year, APAN collaborated with merchants and, for the first time, Diwali-specific foods and general merchandise hit shelves in over 250 Walmart U.S. stores. A Diwali product page also returned online for a second year.
Anshul Punetha of Walmart Canada has helped expand Diwali product offerings for Canadian customers celebrating the season. Diwali products are now in more than half of our stores across Walmart Canada. Anshul came to Canada from India in 2018 and says it’s heartening to see Walmart working hard to serve Canada’s multicultural customers. Product offerings have also expanded in stores and online in the U.S. to help more communities enjoy the flavors of home all year long.
Associates at Walmart-owned PhonePe, a digital payments and financial services company headquartered in southern India, celebrated in the workplace with traditional attire, food and a gift from local entrepreneurs, Phool, to mark the holiday. Phool is committed to “flower-cycling,” taking the flower waste from temples and producing eco-friendly products, while also empowering marginalized women in the process.
Walmart’s ecommerce platform in India, Flipkart, also helped communities across India revel in the holiday season. By collaborating with sellers across India, Flipkart associates helped support local businesses, job creation and accessibility nationwide. Visits surged to 7.2 billion during the holiday season.
No matter where or how you’re celebrating, Diwali is all about unity, joy and light.
“Like any festival anywhere in the world, it’s about togetherness,” Sonali says. “I love to host and be that house that brings people together, and I love extending these celebrations to the workplace because many don’t necessarily have family close by to celebrate with.”
Flipkart associate Sonia Parveen is also excited to see the next generation getting involved and starting their own traditions.
“People are focusing on spreading happiness,” she says. “They’re becoming more conscious about everyone celebrating and making efforts to participate. They want to do something that makes a difference.”
