Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is a major Hindu festival of lights celebrated also in Jainism and Sikhism. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. Celebrated during the Hindu months of Ashvin and Kārtika (mid-September to mid-November), the celebrations typically span five to six days.
In 2003, Diwali was first celebrated at the White House by George W. Bush, marking a significant step in recognizing the festival in the United States.
In 2007, the United States Congress officially recognized the religious and historical significance of Diwali, solidifying its importance in the US.
In 2009, Barack Obama became the first president to personally attend Diwali celebrations at the White House, further emphasizing the festival's importance and recognition.
Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated annually at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister, highlighting the festival's growing recognition.
In 2013, approximately ₹25 billion (US$290 million) worth of fireworks were sold to merchants for Diwali, equating to a retail value of around ₹50 billion (US$580 million), according to The Times of India.
In 2017, ASSOCHAM forecasted online shopping to exceed ₹300 billion (US$3.5 billion) during the Diwali season, with approximately two-thirds of Indian households expected to spend between ₹5,000 (US$58) and ₹10,000 (US$120) on Diwali celebrations.
In 2020, the INDF ETF was launched to mark the start of Diwali, coinciding with the Diwali Muhurat trading session.
During the 2023 Diwali celebration, New Delhi experienced a severe spike in air pollution, briefly holding the top spot worldwide with an air quality index of 680 on one night.
In 2023, a Diwali celebration in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest display of oil lamps, with 2,223,676 lamps lit on the eve of Diwali.
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