Next: 6 to 10 Nov 2026
Diwali
Rows of small flames on a moonless night, rangoli in bright powders at the door, marigolds, and new clothes in red and gold.
The colours of Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on the darkest night of the month. Its first colour is the gold of flame: rows of diyas, small clay lamps of oil with a cotton wick, are set along walls, steps and windowsills to welcome Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, and in the north to mark Rama's return home. At the threshold women draw rangoli, patterns of coloured powder, rice flour and petals, in pink, yellow, green, blue and white. Doors are hung with strings of orange marigold and green mango leaves. People wear new clothes, often silk in red, pink or yellow with gold work. Sikhs keep the same day as Bandi Chhor Divas, and Jains as the day of Mahavira's liberation.
#F6B93BDiya flameThe oil lamps that give the festival its name.#F28C1AMarigold orangeGarlands over every door.#E83E8CRangoli pinkColoured powder patterns at the threshold.#C1121FLakshmi redThe red silk in which Lakshmi is shown.#B5562CTerracottaThe clay of the lamps.#0E0E14Amavasya blackThe moonless night the lamps are lit against.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
Also part of it, and being written: Marigold (The festival flower.).
More colours tied to Diwali
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Diwali" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.