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Next: 8 Nov 2026

Diwali

The festival of lights. Doorways are hung with marigolds and mango leaves to welcome Lakshmi.

The image shows crackers at Diwali times.
Photo: Kalli navya, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What happens

Diwali is the new moon night on which lamps are lit to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of fortune. Flowers prepare the house for her. A toran, a string of orange and yellow marigolds with fresh mango leaves, is hung across the top of each doorway. Rangoli patterns on the threshold are filled with petals as well as coloured powder. Lakshmi is shown seated on a lotus, and a lotus is offered at her puja. Marigold prices in the wholesale markets rise sharply in the days before.

The flowers

Aztec marigoldMarigold, strung into torans and garlands.Sacred lotusThe lotus, the seat of Lakshmi, offered at her worship.ToranThe door hanging of flowers and mango leaves.RangoliThreshold patterns, often filled with petals.

More flowers and customs of Diwali

MarigoldTagetes A group of bright annual and perennial flowers known worldwide as marigolds 🇲🇽 Mexico and 7 more · Wildflower Decoration Chowk poorana Folk floor and wall art made with flour, clay and rice in northern India 🇮🇳 India · Carpet or floor pattern Decoration Pujaपूजा The Hindu ritual of offering flowers, light, and food in worship 🇮🇳 India and 2 more · Offering or rite Decoration Paper lantern Lanterns made of paper for festivals, light, and celebration across Asia and beyond 🇨🇳 China and 7 more · Parade or display Place Thovalai A Tamil Nadu village known for its jasmine flower market and temples Nagercoil, 🇮🇳 India · Flower market
About this page

Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "Diwali" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.

Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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