Festival of Lights: Celebrating Around the World

by Shabana Adam | 29 September 2012

Are you celebrating Diwali?

Diwali celebrations in India, Singapore, Trinidad and Tobago, Mauritius and Myanmar will take place this year on Tuesday 13 November.

Deepavali in Singapore from £425 per person

Singapore is a melting pot of cultures and Diwali, or Deepavali, is one of the festivals that unites the people of Singapore – with annual celebrations of elaborate light and candle decorations. Head to ‘Little India’ on Serangoon Road to truly enjoy the festive atmosphere; streets are lined with hundreds of fairy lights, garlands and colourful arches.

Children light sparklers and adults visit one of the 18 Hindu temples to offer prayers before everyone comes together for a family meal. Return flights from London to Singapore start from £425 per person.

Diwali in Mauritius from £639 per person

With a population including 63 per cent of Indian descent, of which 80 per cent follow Hinduism, Mauritius is known for holding Diwali celebrations almost as elaborate as in India. Oil lamps are placed in front of every home, turning the island into a fairyland of flickering lights. As well as celebrating the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, the little flickering lights also symbolise the beginning of summer.

The main day of the festivities is seen as a particularly auspicious day for merchants to make up their accounts and balances for the previous year, to go unburdened into the next. After the morning prayers, Hindus share sweets prepared specially for the occasion with family members, neighbours and friends. Return flights from London to Mauritius start from £639 per person.

Diwali in the Caribbean sun from £459 per person

Considered as the land of the Humming Bird, Trinidad and Tobago observes traditional Hindu festivals and customs with a Caribbean twist. Here, 43% of the 1.3 million population are ethnic Indians and Diwali is regarded as a national holiday and is observed by those of all denominations. The day is marked by prayers, Caribbean-Indian feasts and the lighting of thousands of diyas - small clay pots filled with oil and a wick which are lit all over the country.

Join thousands at sundown to light the diyas in villages all over the country. Return flights from London to Trinidad and Tobago start from £459 per person.

Traditional Diwali in South India from £426 per person

In the South, the Diwali preparations begin the day before, when families spring clean their homes ready for the next day. Rooms are scented with ginger, sandal paste and turmeric. Deepavali celebrations begin early in the morning when the eldest family member applies sesame oil on the heads of all the family members.

Children are treated to sparklers and new clothes before the family trip to the temple. Lights and lamps are lit at sundown ready for the evening feasts. Return flights from London to Cochin start from £426 per person.

Colourful celebrations in North India from £432 per person

In the North, Diwali festivities start with the lighting of homes, pathways, temples, and even government buildings, with hundreds of small clay lamps and candles. Firecrackers, thought to frighten away evil spirits are also used, which makes this a particular popular festival for children. On Diwali itself, shops remain open till the afternoon, believing that good sales on Diwali day predict a prosperous year ahead.

Around every street corner you’ll find temporary stages for holding the Ramlila - a dramatic rendition of the story of the Ramayan, which continues for several evenings. Return flights from London to Delhi start from £432 per person.

Watch traditional dancing in Myanmar from £586 per person

Diwali is celebrated according to the Hindu solar calendar. The five-day festival in Burma (Myanmar) is marked by fireworks, home decorations and sweets. New garments are worn and traditional dancing takes place to honour the occasion. Return flights to Yangon from London start from just £586 per person with Cheapflights.co.uk.