Diwali

Upon leaving the US and experiencing different holidays and celebrations here in Costa Rica, I decided to do some more research about holidays of the US, Costa Rica, and elsewhere, as they occur during my time here, and how they are celebrated around the world (if they are). Side note, I am not an expert on these holidays, just providing the information I've come across.

Diwali

photo credit: en.wikipedia.org

Diwali, also known as Deepvali or the "festival of lights," is an autumn Hindu festival signifying the triumph of light over darkness that usually takes place somewhere between mid-October and mid-November. The festival lasts for five-days, but the main night matches up with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. Before the main evening, people essentially clean and renovate their offices and homes. The day of, Hindus dress up in their best clothes, light lamps and candles (diyas), pray with their families (puja), and feast and exchange gifts. Diwali is officially celebrated in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritus, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname, Malaysia, Singapore, Fiji, and Pakistan.

Read more about Diwali here.

Costa Rica, being a Catholic nation, does not celebrate Diwali.