03/11/2024, SUNDAY
With over 1.2 billion Hindus worldwide, Diwali is celebrated across India and other countries with significant Hindu populations. India leads with approximately 94% of the global Hindu population, followed by Nepal (81%), Bangladesh (8%), Indonesia (1.7%), and Pakistan (1.85%). Each country brings its unique cultural flavor to Diwali. In India, celebrations span five days, with homes lit by Diyas, adorned with Rangoli, and filled with family gatherings, prayers, and fireworks.
Nepal’s Tihar, a variation of Diwali, includes honoring animals like cows and dogs as symbols of prosperity and loyalty. Indonesian Hindus, primarily in Bali, celebrate with temple rituals and traditional dances, emphasizing community and devotion. In Bangladesh and Pakistan, Diwali is observed more modestly, with prayers, lamps, and family gatherings, showing that while the traditions vary, the spirit of Diwali remains united in honoring light and hope.
In India, amid this joy, Diwali also highlights an irony in our approach to environmental concerns. Pollution from vehicles, factories, and other sources affects the air we breathe year-round, yet heightened concern often surfaces only around festivals like Diwali. Firecrackers, while briefly increasing pollution, are criticized more than the steady pollutants that impact air quality daily. In cities like Delhi, where pollution levels can double during Diwali, this momentary focus on firecrackers overshadows the need for consistent environmental awareness year-round. This selective concern reflects a contradiction—emphasizing environmental protection primarily during festivals, rather than addressing the persistent pollutants that affect our health daily.
In contrast, Hindu communities worldwide are adopting more sustainable Diwali practices. For example, in Bali, Indonesian Hindus celebrate with an emphasis on simplicity, focusing on lamps, prayers, and floral decorations, without the pollution linked to firecrackers. This approach highlights a meaningful way to honor Diwali’s spirit without compromising environmental responsibility.
At its heart, Diwali is a celebration of light, unity, and renewal. By choosing eco-friendly practices, we honor these values while contributing to the health of our communities and the planet.