New Delhi. On November 11, Ayodhya broke its own Guinness World Record by lighting over 22,23,000 diyas to mark the Deepotsav celebrations on Diwali eve.
Around 25,000 volunteers lit 22.23 lakh diyas at 51 ghats of Ram Ki Paidi along the Saryu-river. High commissioners and ambassadors of over 50 countries witnessed the Deepotsav.
Numerous diyas lit the Teetwal village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on November 12 as Diwali was celebrated at Mata Sharda Devi mandir for first time in 75 years.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murthy lit Diwali lamps at a special reception at 10 Downing Street, London.
Mandirs from around the UK had contributed to an Annakut display as festive offerings to god and children from the Avanti Court Primary School recited religious shlokas at the reception.
On November 12, United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended Diwali greetings to residents and others across the world in Hindi and English.
US Vice President Kamala Harris hosted Diwali celebrations at her official residence, the Naval Observatory. Addressing about 300 guests on November 8, Harris emphasized the significance of celebrating the festival of lights.
In a first-of-its-kind event, Atlanta Mayor, Andre Dickens joined the Hindu American community in a Diwali celebration and dinner organised by Coalition of Hindus of North America.
Canada Post issued a new stamp celebrating Diwali. Designed by Kristine Do and illustrated by Rena Chen, the stamp’s design has been inspired by the garlands that are draped across the entrances and facades of homes and mandirs.
Earlier, several members of the Bharatiya community were in attendance at the Diwali celebrations hosted by MP Chandra Arya who also raised a flag with sacred symbol ‘aum’ on Parliament Hill.
The streets of Serangoon Road and Race Course Road in Little India came alive with a brilliant display of lights and colours, embodying the spirit of Diwali in Singapore.
In Dubai, numerous neighborhoods, including Al Mankhool, Bur Dubai, Karama, and Al Barsha, sparkled with vibrant illuminations as residents celebrated Diwali.
Nepal celebrated the five-day festival of lights called Tihar which included Lakshami Puja and Gai Puja.
The Indian Cultural Association in collaboration with Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Sri Lanka organised Diwali celebrations on November 11. Governor of Sri Lanka’s Eastern province Senthil Thondaman attended and witnessed the cultural performances and an animation on the relevance of Diwali and Ramayana.
Around 250 people including Mayor of Bradford Councillor Gerry Barker participated in the official switch on of Deepawali lights organized by the Yorkshire branch of Vishwa Hindu Parishad at the Ukrainian Community Centre in Bradford, UK.
The Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA along with more than 200 other Dharmic organizations, came together to commence the fourth annual Sewa Diwali Food Donation Drive to provide essential food supplies to local food pantries.
