Diwali Draws Large Community Events, Regional Traditions

Diwali celebrations this season featured large community gatherings across North America and South Asia, from neighborhood street events in Northeast Fresno and hundreds at the BAPS Fresno temple to organized programs like the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Sacramento event expecting over 5,000 attendees and the Hindu Society of Manitoba’s Diwali Mela that drew more than 5,000 people. Regional traditions across South Asia — including Vadodara’s life‑size rangoli displays and Sindh potters making clay diyas for Hindu neighbours — highlighted artistic expression and interfaith goodwill. The festival season overlaps with related observances such as Chhath Puja and Labh Panchami, which mark continued ritual activity after Diwali. The holiday’s commercial and social influence was evident in Tamil cinema, where young‑led films performed strongly at the Diwali box office, and in celebrities sharing family celebrations online.