Happy Diwali! Oct. 21, 2025

Diwali is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrating hope, prosperity and the triumph of good over evil. It commemorates Prince Rama"s victorious return to the kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The festival also honours the goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring wealth and well-being into homes, while some communities worship the goddess Kali. During Diwali, families clean and decorate their homes, exchange sweets and gather for prayers, creating an atmosphere of joy. Central to the celebration are diyas, small oil lamps whose glowing flames symbolise light overcoming darkness and the promise of new beginnings. One of the most striking places to witness this tradition is Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar, India. A sacred site in Sikhism, it is open to people from all faiths and walks of life.

© EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Leaf-peeping Southern style
Oct. 21, 2023International Archaeology Day
Oct. 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States

More Desktop Wallpapers:

The other continent down under
Dec. 13, 2024Christmas market, St. Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
Aug. 23, 2024Prasat Phanom Rung temple ruins, Thailand
Red rock country
Feb. 22, 2025Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Apr. 25, 2024World Penguin Day
Dec. 28, 2024Green sea turtle
Flying the flag for Pride
Rainbow around the sun
Mar. 27, 2025World Theatre Day
When just a pinch of salt won’t do
Nov. 5, 2025Peña Roya beech forest, Moncayo Natural Park, Aragon, Spain
Jul. 24, 2024Cousins Day
World Hippo Day, a giant celebration
Bright blue lakes and rugged mountains
The worlds most exclusive beach?
Dec. 19, 2025Bormio, Lombardy, Italy
Oct. 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
A beautiful labyrinth
Oct. 17, 2024Kochia, Hitachi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan
Jul. 19, 2025Jacksons Point Lighthouse on Lake Simcoe, Ontario
Apr. 11, 2024Dragon waterfall, Venezuela
Good cold fun
Have a merry little Christmas
Trusty water-shifters
Nov. 4, 2023American bison
Feb. 3, 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
Mar. 16, 2026Spirit Island on Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta
Jan. 9, 2024Rio Grande, Albuquerque
Jun. 10, 2024The city of Osaka at night, Japan