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Diwali celebrations across India and diaspora
Diwali is being celebrated across India and among the global diaspora, with a holy city lit by three million lamps.
Updated 18:47 UTC, 8 November 2026 · 4 reports from 4 outlets · 17 one-source
Top reportIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali
Image: RT
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Story opened Diwali is being celebrated across India and among the global diaspora, with a holy city lit by three million lamps.
How it’s being told
One card per media bloc, with each outlet’s framing written from its own headlines.
Russian state media
RTState media
- RT foregrounds the scale of the lamp-lighting in the 'holy city' and the festival's commercial side, citing record 'Diwali-related trade' and gold demand, while saying little about religious.
European media
France 24Public broadcaster
- France 24 foregrounds the scale of observance, noting 'over one billion people' marking the 'victory of light over darkness', centring the participants and the holiday's symbolism while leaving.
US media
The New York TimesPrivate
- The New York Times foregrounds Delhi's air quality, centring the city's attempt at 'Green' fireworks and framing Diwali through pollution rather than the nationwide celebrations or the holy.
Middle East state media
Al JazeeraState media
- Al Jazeera foregrounds Diwali's interfaith reach and 'regional origin stories', explaining that Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists observe it and that 'more than one billion people of different faiths'.
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One source 17
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India's Ministry of Tourism released a video on Sunday with drone shots of the celebrations.
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“In a video released by the Ministry of Tourism on Sunday, drone shots captured the scale of the celebrations.”
RTState mediaReportsIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
The festive season accounts for 30-40% of annual business for many brands.
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“For many brands, the festive season accounts for 30-40% of annual business, she said.”
RTState mediaAttributesIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Diwali-related trade last year reached a record $64.31 billion, up 25% year on year.
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“In her report, RT India correspondent Rujuta Thete notes that Diwali-related trade last year reached a record $64.31 billion, up 25% year on year.”
RTState mediaAttributesIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Traders expect Dhanteras sales to be about 10% higher than last year.
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“Traders quoted by the agency said sales on Dhanteras – the auspicious day marking the start of the five-day Diwali festival – are expected to be about 10% higher than last year.”
RTState mediaAttributesIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
India's gold demand rose after prices fell to a seven-month low this week.
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“Gold demand rose in India after prices fell to a seven-month low this week, according to a Reuters report.”
RTState mediaAttributesIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Yogi Adityanath described this year's festival as the 10th edition of Deepotsav.
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“Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described this year’s 10th edition of the festival as a celebration of Ayodhya’s development and cultural revival, saying it reflected efforts to reconnect the temple town with its religious and historical heritage.”
RTState mediaAttributesIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Ayodhya has hosted Diwali festivities under the name Deepotsav since 2017.
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“The temple city has hosted Diwali festivities under the name Deepotsav since 2017.”
RTState mediaReportsIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Ayodhya was lit up with three million lamps for this year's Diwali.
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“The city of Ayodhya in northern India was lit up with three million lamps for this year’s Diwali, celebrated by Hindus around the world over the weekend.”
RTState mediaReportsIndia’s holy city lights up with three million lamps for Diwali (VIDEO)
Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists also observe Diwali.
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“While Diwali is rooted in Hindu tradition, it is also observed by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, with regional origin stories that share a common theme – the victory of good over evil.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in late October or early November.
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“The festival follows the Hindu lunar calendar and usually falls in late October or early November.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Many families place clay oil lamps outside their homes during Diwali.
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“The name Diwali comes from “Deepavali”, meaning “a row of lights”, and many families place clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
The name Diwali comes from "Deepavali", meaning "a row of lights".
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“The name Diwali comes from “Deepavali”, meaning “a row of lights”, and many families place clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Diwali is marked on November 8 this year.
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“This year, Diwali is marked on November 8.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
More than one billion people of different faiths take part in Diwali celebrations in India.
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“More than one billion people of different faiths take part in the celebrations in the world’s most populous nation, gathering for prayers, family reunions and the lighting of fireworks.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Diwali is being celebrated across India and among its global diaspora.
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“Diwali, the festival of lights, is being celebrated across India and among its vast diaspora, marking one of the most important days of the year for Hindus.”
Al JazeeraState mediaReportsPhotos: Diwali celebrations light up India and its global diaspora
Over one billion people mark Diwali, the victory of light over darkness.
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“Diwali: Over one billion people mark victory of light over darkness”
France 24Public broadcasterReportsDiwali: Over one billion people mark victory of light over darkness
Delhi is polluted and is trying 'green' fireworks to clear the air at Diwali.
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“Polluted Delhi Tries ‘Green’ Fireworks to Clear the Air at Diwali”
The New York TimesPrivateReportsPolluted Delhi Tries ‘Green’ Fireworks to Clear the Air at Diwali
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Watch
News video from the outlets covering this story.
Devotees From Across India Throng to Kedarnath For Diwali | WION News
PM Modi Marks Diwali With Jawans Amid Bastars Anti-Naxal Success | WION News
Ayodhya Deepotsav LIVE: Ayodhya Lights up For Grand Deepotsav Event 2026 | Diwali 2026 | WION Live
Diwali: Over one billion people mark victory of light over darkness • FRANCE 24 English
Ayodhya Ram Temple Glows Ahead of Grand Deepotsav Celebrations | WION SHORTS
PM Modi Marks Diwali With Security Personnel | Report: Riyadh Financial District Targeted |Headlines
Delhi's Diwali Eve Air Quality Worst in 10 Years | WION News
PM Modi: I am Celebrating Diwali with Guardians of the Nation | WION News
All sources
4 reports from 4 outlets — with who owns each outlet and who pays for it.
RT State media
RussiaOwner: ANO TV-NovostiPaid by: Russian federal budget
Al Jazeera State media
QatarOwner: Al Jazeera Media NetworkPaid by: funded by the State of Qatar
France 24 Public broadcaster
FranceOwner: France Médias Monde (wholly owned by the French state)Paid by: French public funds (state allocation for public broadcasting)
The New York Times Private
United StatesOwner: The New York Times CompanyPaid by: subscriptions + advertising
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17 one-source4 outletsUpdated