You’ve seen the photos. Thousands of tiny clay lamps flickering on doorsteps, skies exploding with purple and gold sparks, and people dressed in silk saris that cost more than a month’s rent. Most folks just call it the "Festival of Lights" and move on. But if you're asking deepavali celebrated by who, the answer is a lot more complicated than just "people in India."
Honestly, it’s a global phenomenon that looks wildly different depending on whether you’re in a temple in Tamil Nadu, a backyard in Leicester, or a high-rise in Singapore. It’s not just one holiday. It’s a dozen different stories happening at the same time.
Deepavali Celebrated By Who: Not Just One Religion
Most people assume it’s a Hindu thing. And yeah, for the 1.2 billion Hindus on the planet, it’s the big one—the Christmas of the East. But if you stop there, you’re missing like a third of the story.
Sikhs celebrate it, but for them, it’s Bandi Chhor Divas. It marks the day Guru Hargobind Ji was released from a Mughal prison in 1619. He didn't just walk out alone; he famously negotiated the release of 52 other princes. When he arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the people lit lamps to welcome him. So, while Hindus are celebrating ancient kings, Sikhs are celebrating a historical prison break for justice.
Jains have a totally different take. For the Jain community, this day marks the moment Lord Mahavira attained Moksha (enlightenment). They aren't lighting lamps to welcome a king; they're lighting them to represent the "light of knowledge" that Mahavira left behind.
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Then you’ve got the Newar Buddhists in Nepal. They celebrate it as Tihar. They actually spend different days of the festival worshipping crows, dogs, and cows. It’s probably the only time you’ll see a stray dog in Kathmandu wearing a flower garland and a red tikka on its forehead.
The North vs. South Divide (It’s a Big Deal)
If you’re in Northern India, the festival is Diwali. It’s about Lord Rama returning to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. People light lamps to show him the way home. It’s a homecoming story.
But go south to places like Karnataka or Tamil Nadu, and the vibe shifts. There, it’s Deepavali (the original Sanskrit name meaning "row of lamps"). The hero isn't Rama; it’s Lord Krishna. The story goes that he defeated a nasty demon named Narakasura.
Here’s the kicker: In the South, the main celebration happens a day earlier than in the North. People wake up at 4:00 AM for a ritual oil bath. It’s meant to wash away the "dirt" of the ego. If you aren't scrubbed and dressed in new clothes before the sun comes up, you're doing it wrong.
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Where in the World is Deepavali a Public Holiday?
It’s easy to think this is just a regional festival, but the list of countries that officially recognize it is massive. In 2026, you'll see national shutdowns and massive public celebrations in:
- Singapore: The "Little India" district becomes a literal sea of neon.
- Fiji: Almost 40% of the population has Indian roots. Even non-Hindus join in.
- Mauritius: It’s one of their biggest national holidays.
- Malaysia: They call it Hari Deepavali. Fun fact: Fireworks are technically restricted there, so the focus is way more on the oil lamps and the food.
- Guyana & Trinidad and Tobago: This is a legacy of the indentured laborers who brought the tradition to the Caribbean in the 1800s. They’ve kept it alive for over 150 years.
The Money Side of the Lights
Business owners are a huge part of the deepavali celebrated by who demographic. In many parts of India, this is the official start of the new financial year.
Merchant communities, especially the Marwaris and Gujaratis, perform Chopda Pujan. They literally bring their account books to the temple to be blessed by Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. They believe if you start the year with a clean ledger and a bit of divine help, the next 12 months will be profitable.
Gambling is also a thing. Seriously. Families sit around playing card games like Teen Patti late into the night. The logic? If you win at cards on Deepavali, you’ll be lucky with money all year.
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The Messy Reality of Modern Celebrations
It’s not all serene lamps and prayers. In the last few years, the festival has run into some serious friction.
Air quality in cities like Delhi becomes a disaster. The smoke from millions of firecrackers creates a "gas chamber" effect that lasts for days. Because of this, many younger people are switching to "Green Deepavali"—which basically means more lights, better food, and zero explosives.
There's also a growing conversation about the "Asura" (demon) narratives. Some Dalit and Adivasi communities in India actually view the "demons" in these stories as their own ancestral leaders who were defeated by upper-caste gods. They observe the day in mourning or as a day of resistance, which adds a layer of social complexity most tourists never see.
How to Actually Get Involved
If you want to experience this without just being a "tourist," you've got to focus on the three pillars: Cleanliness, Food, and Light.
- The Deep Clean: You can't welcome prosperity into a messy house. People spend weeks scrubbing every corner.
- The Rangoli: Grab some colored powder or flower petals. Create a pattern at your entrance. It’s essentially a "Welcome" mat for good vibes.
- The Sweets (Mithai): Do not show up to a Deepavali party empty-handed. Boxes of Kaju Katli (cashew fudge) or Besan Ladoo (chickpea flour balls) are the standard currency of friendship.
- Lighting the Way: If you’re doing it traditionally, use clay diyas with cotton wicks and vegetable oil. There’s something about the warmth of a real flame that an LED strip just can't match.
Final Practical Takeaways
Deepavali isn't a "one size fits all" event. It’s a massive, multi-faith, multi-national week of chaos and beauty. Whether you're honoring a return from exile, a spiritual awakening, or a fight for freedom, the core message is basically the same: things might be dark right now, but the light is coming back.
To participate respectfully in 2026:
- Check the local lunar calendar, as the date shifts every year.
- Opt for "green" celebrations to respect the environment.
- Understand the specific story of the region you are in—don't talk about Rama in a village that's celebrating Krishna's victory over Narakasura.
- Support local potters by buying handmade clay lamps instead of mass-produced plastic ones.