Diwali falls on Nov. 8 as more than 1 billion prepare to celebrate
What's new: The festival is being marked from India to US cities including New York and Florida, with prayers, feasts, fireworks and public events.
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, falls on Nov. 8 this year and will be celebrated by more than 1 billion people in India and across the diaspora. The festival is widely observed by Hindus and also marked by Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, though each faith ties the day to different traditions and origin stories. Common practices include lighting clay oil lamps, offering prayers, sharing sweets and gifts, wearing new clothes and setting off fireworks. In India, observances vary by region, including devotion to Lakshmi in the north and rituals linked to Krishna in the south. In the United States, events include Diwali at Times Square in New York City and festivities at Disney World in Florida.