Diwali Nov 12, 2023

Diwali

Diwali, the five-day festival of lights, holds significance in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is celebrated widely both in India, and in countries across the world with an Indian diaspora. The name "Diwali" comes from the Sanskrit term "Dipavali," which means "row of lights," and the heart of the festival lies in the oil lamps, or "diyas," which illuminate homes and public spaces. They create a dazzling spectacle symbolizing the triumph of knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. The city of Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, India, pictured in today"s image, hosts one of the world"s largest displays of oil lamps. Hundreds of thousands of diyas are lit on the banks of the Sarayu River during Diwali.

© SANJAY KANOJIA/AFP/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Nov 12, 2018Honoring those who served
Nov 12, 2019Sleep tight, little hedgehog
Nov 12, 2020Upstate autumn
Nov 12, 2021Beavers Bend
Nov 12, 2022Alaska Bald Eagle Festival
Nov 12, 2024Arches National Park anniversary
Nov 12, 2025Colosseum, Rome, Italy

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 21, 2025International Tea Day
Feb 25, 2024Black History Month
Nov 21, 20222022 FIFA World Cup
Sep 28, 2020Explorer of the sea
Apr 9, 2024Skagit Valley Tulip Festival
Jul 15, 2018GOAL!
May 4, 2020It s Star Wars Day
Jun 25, 2018Tracking ships on the Day of the Seafarer
Feb 3, 2018Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy
Apr 10, 2026Siblings Day
Jan 9, 2020Into the woods
Mar 19, 2019The smoke before the bonfire
Oct 17, 2019Red-leaf hunting in Japan
May 3, 2022Teacher Appreciation Day
Aug 20, 2021Signs of life in the Empty Quarter
Nov 14, 2020Decorating for Diwali
Nov 27, 2019Have you turned off your electronic device?
Oct 20, 2026International Sloth Day
Sep 19, 2021Arrr! Can you talk like a pirate?
Jan 28, 2025Short-eared owl
Dec 18, 2018A hit ballet, long after its debut
Nov 15, 2025Irohazaka Road in fall, Nikko, Tochigi, Japan
Oct 26, 2024Gespensterwald, Nienhagen, Germany
Feb 2, 2023Groundhog Day
Jan 4, 2022Borrego Badlands
Apr 27, 2018National Park Week: Yosemite National Park, California
Nov 2, 2018Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Oct 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia
May 28, 2025World Otter Day
Jun 10, 2023Porto Cathedral, Portugal