India Shines Bright as Millions Celebrate Diwali Festival

Mon Oct 20 2025 11:48:59 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Diwali, the festival of lights, illuminates the hearts of millions as Indians come together to rejoice in traditions, fireworks, and community spirit, while also grappling with environmental concerns.

As Diwali is celebrated across India, the streets sparkle with lights and festivities. However, the festival also raises concerns over air pollution due to firecrackers, prompting the Supreme Court to allow the use of 'green crackers'. Traditional food, family gatherings, and community participation mark the essence of this significant festival that transcends religious lines.

Millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, one of Hinduism's most significant and widely observed festivals.

While lamps and firecrackers light up homes and streets during the festival, they also worsen air pollution - a problem especially pronounced in northern India, where winter months already bring poor air quality.

This year, the Supreme Court has permitted the sale and use of 'green crackers' in the capital, Delhi, to help curb air pollution, ending a ban on crackers that has been in place since 2020.

'Green crackers' claim to emit 20–30% less pollution than traditional firecrackers, but critics doubt their actual effectiveness in protecting the environment.

In recent years, several states have restricted or banned firecrackers to combat rising air pollution, but the rules are often flouted, further worsening air quality in the days following Diwali.

But Diwali is about much more than fireworks. Food plays a central role in the celebrations.

Families prepare a variety of traditional Indian sweets which are shared with friends and neighbours. Festive meals often include rich curries, savoury snacks, and special breads. In the days leading up to the festival, people clean and decorate their homes, shop for new clothes, and buy traditional sweets to exchange as gifts with friends and family.

Many also create traditional and colourful rangoli designs outside their doors to invite luck and positivity. On Diwali itself, families worship Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.

Diwali's appeal goes beyond religion, drawing people from different communities and faiths to join in the celebrations. Across India's cities and towns, markets bustle with shoppers buying sweets, gifts, decorations, and firecrackers, giving a significant boost to the economy each year.