Diwali Celebrations around the World
The Hindu community outside India numbers around 60 million, making the Hindu diaspora one of the largest in the world. Hindus have taken their separation from their motherland as an opportunity to share Hindu culture with the mainstream community. Hindus outside India are fulfilling their role as cultural ambassadors, spreading the invaluable knowledge that the Hindu traditions and beliefs have to contribute to the world. Again and again we have seen the tremendous positive influence the Hindu community has when it comes together, and this year’s Diwali was no exception. Hundreds of Hindu organizations and groups around the world organized Diwali celebrations, getting the festival recognized on university campuses and even by national leaders. Following are a few examples of the ways Diwali was recognized by leaders around the world:
Unites States
President Barack Obama lit a diya at this year’s White House Diwali celebration. The Diwali ceremony has been organized by the White House every year since 2003, but this is the first year that the president himself attended. President Obama also issued a video message extending his wishes to all those celebrating Diwali. He spoke about the significance of the festival and the symbolism behind lighting lamps. He also mentioned the Sanskrit mantra Asato Ma Sad Gamaya and recited a translated version. Two years ago, the Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali. This is a remarkable display of the respect the 2.4-million strong Hindu community in the US has earned.
President Obama’s Diwali message
United Kingdom
This Diwali, Prime Minister Gordon Brown lit a diya amid Vedic chanting at his Downing Street office. This was the first time the prime minister’s office held a Diwali celebration. Prime Minister Brown commended the Hindu spirit of respect and tolerance. He highlighted Diwali as a festival that brings hope and strengthens family and community values, and spoke gratefully of the contribution of British Hindus to the nation. The Prime Minister was presented with a garland and a model of the BAPS Swaminarayan Mandir, popularly known as the Neasden Temple, in north London.
Diwali was also celebrated with great devotion and splendor at Britain’s largest Hindu temple, the Swaminaryan Mandir in London. In the Chopda Pujan, hundreds of new account books – in a variety of paper and electronic forms – were blessed through the showering of flowers petals and rice grains amid the chanting of Vedic hymns and prayers. There was also a spectacular fireworks and laser display, where more than 4,500 explosions were created. The temple also encouraged devotees to donate blood, in addition to money and food, on the occasion of Diwali.
Canada
The Canadian parliament celebrated Diwali with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other top leaders lighting the traditional lamps. They were among the 450 dignitaries to attend the festivities. The guests were shown how Diwali is celebrated differently in various parts of India. After the ceremonies, a traditional Diwali dinner was laid out and the guests were treated to Indian delicacies. After lighting the traditional lamp, Prime Minister Harper said the “growing Indo-Canadian community is at the forefront of Canada’s quest to build an even better country for generations to come.”
“Since 1998, Diwali on Parliament Hill (the seat of the House of Commons) has grown in significance and stature, and today can truly be considered as Canada’s National Diwali Festival,” said Deepak Obhrai, who is parliamentary secretary to the foreign minister.
Australia
In an unprecedented move, Australia lit up its prime buildings including its parliament, airport, and Indian consulate during Diwali this year. Prime buildings in Melbourne were lit up starting October 10th, under a seven-day long lighting competition organized by Celebrate India Inc.
“For the first time Melbourne departure lounge and Indian Consulate will be decorated apart from the state parliament building, Horsham council, museums and other parts of the city, and cultural programmes like dhol programme and rangoli events will be held there,” said Arun Sharma, the event’s coordinator.
Diwali has become a global festival today, thanks to the efforts of Hindus to preserve their culture wherever they go. Wherever Hindus come together, be it Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand, the Middle East, South Africa, to Europe, North America and the Caribbean, Diwali has the same color, feasting, gifting, devotion and sparkle as in India. These were just a few of the thousands of ways Hindu communities celebrated Diwali around the world. Please share more examples if you have any!
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