Diwali

Mann ki baat: PM urges citizens to promote 'Vocal for local' this Diwali

In his monthly radio broadcast 'Mann Ki Baat', he also highlighted the success of Indian products in international markets

Delhi-Bihar bus fares surge as Diwali, Chhath travel demand intensifies

Private bus tickets to Bihar are costing ₹2,500-4,000 on several services, against regular fares of ₹840-2,000, as passengers struggle to find confirmed train tickets

Silver inflows likely to rebound as import curbs eased for Diwali

Fresh import permits are set to ease India's silver supply constraints and premiums ahead of Diwali, though demand is expected to trail last year's levels

US Postal Service releases Diwali stamp featuring Indian artist's rangoli

The US Postal Service (USPS) has released a postage stamp commemorating the festival of Diwali, featuring an intricate rangoli pattern created by Sangita Bhutada, a Houston-based artist. India's Ambassador to the United States Vinay Mohan Kwatra, USPS Senior Vice President Shibani Gambhir and Bhutada unveiled the stamp at a function at the Indian embassy here on Wednesday evening. The USPS described rangoli as a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials, such as coloured rice powder, chalk and flower petals, and believed to bring good luck. Bhutada is a native of India and a longtime resident of the Houston area. He has practised the ancient folk art of rangoli for nearly 30 years. The stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold, and William J Gicker was the art director. Bhutada told PTI that the USPS reached out to her for making the stamp more than a year back. "I shared a dozen sketches with the USPS of which they selected four. The actual work on the rangoli took abo

The second life of gifts: Why Diwali giving need not end at unwrapping

From luxury resale and regifting to charitable auctions and the circular economy, gifts are finding second lives. This Diwali, the question is not just what we give, but what happens to it afterwards

Domestic getaways, Asian destinations gain for festival travel: Agoda

Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo lead international searches by Indian travellers, while Goa, Puri and Udaipur remain popular domestic destinations, according to Agoda's latest travel data

Kerala Tourism eyes festive footfall boost, industry status policy in works

Kerala recorded 10.98 per cent growth in domestic tourist arrivals in Q1 2026 and is preparing new travel packages, upgraded infrastructure and a policy to grant tourism industry status

Freight costs, shipment delays weigh on consumer durable manufacturers

Prices could rise after Diwali as freight costs more than double and shipment delays stretch beyond 15 days, though manufacturers have enough stock for the festive season

US Postal Service unveils Diwali postage stamp for October release

The US Postal Service has unveiled a postage stamp commemorating the festival of Diwali among others which will be released later this year. The Diwali stamp features an intricate rangoli pattern created by Sangita Bhutada, a Houston-based artist and photographed by Binay Dixit. The USPS described rangoli as a vibrant floor pattern traditionally made from materials such as coloured rice powder, chalk and flower petals and believed to bring good luck. According to the USPS, Bhutada is a native of India and a longtime resident of the Houston area who has practiced the ancient folk art of rangoli for nearly 30 years. The stamp was designed by Jennifer Arnold, and William J. Gicker was the art director. The Diwali stamp will be released in October, the USPS said. "Among the most important holidays on the Hindu calendar, the annual autumn festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. Diwali is usually observed over five days; in 2026, the main day of the festival will be November

US state of Nebraska recognises Diwali in landmark legislative move

The Nebraska State Legislature in the US has adopted a resolution recognising the celebration of Deepavali, in what the Indian mission in Seattle described as a "historic" move for the state's Hindu community. The resolution was sponsored by State Senator John Frederickson and signed by Speaker John Arch on March 31. The adoption of the resolution is a "historic" development for the Indian diaspora in the American Midwest and marks a "watershed moment" for the approximately 9,000 Hindus who call the "Cornhusker State" (Nebraska's official nickname) home, the Consulate General of India in Seattle said in a statement. The Consulate noted that Frederickson, whose district includes the Hindu Temple of Omaha established in 1993, has been a "long-time ally" of the community, frequently attending temple events. While Hindus account for less than one per cent of Nebraska's population, the passage of resolution LR 424 signals an "era of deep cultural integration and respect," it said. The

Deepavali added to Unesco's heritage list, PM Modi hails global recognition

Unesco's recognition affirms Deepavali as a living tradition that reinforces social cohesion, nurtures traditional craftsmanship, and upholds values of wellbeing, generosity and community spirit

Indians swiped big this Diwali: 42% spent over ₹50,000 on credit cards

Indians spent big this Diwali — and they did it smartly. ????✨ A new Paisabazaar survey shows that 42% of credit card users spent over ₹50,000, while one in five crossed the ₹1 lakh mark.

Diwali releases open strong but fail to sustain momentum at Box Office

Even with a festive start, Bollywood's Diwali releases, Thamma and Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, are seeing slipping collections as viewers choose films with stronger stories and engaging content

iPhones, gold, silver coins drive BigBasket's record 500% Diwali sales rise

While the sales of electronics, including iPhones, surged 500 per cent, gold and silver coins reported a staggering 1000 per cent rise compared to last year

Less pollution this year on Diwali despite cracker-bursting: Delhi CM Gupta

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year as compared to the previous year. Her assertion came a day after monitoring stations showed that Delhi's air pollution hit a four-year high on Diwali, with particulate matter 2.5 peaking at 675. The chief minister said she will meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to inform the state government about Delhi's concerns over crop residue burning, a major cause of pollution in the national capital during winters. "The pre- and post-Diwali gap (between average AQI) this year is less compared to the previous year, even though firecrackers were allowed this time," Gupta said at a press conference. She insisted that her government was taking all necessary steps with "greater alertness" to curb pollution. On Tuesday, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the Air Quality Index in Delhi was 341 before Diwali and it rose to 356 afterwards, up by just 11 points. T

Weight-gain woes after the festive cheer? Here's how to bounce-back

From balanced home meals to fun, everyday activities, here's how you can ease back into fitness and lose festive weight sustainably.

Feeling exhausted after Diwali celebrations? Here's how to bounce back

After days of lights, late nights, and endless socialising, exhaustion often lingers once the festivities end. Experts share how to rest smart, recharge, and regain your festive balance

Samvat 2082: Investors likely to see up to 15% returns from equities

Pickup in earnings growth and sustained foreign flows hold key

India a symbol of stability and sensitivity, says PM Modi in Diwali letter

In a Diwali message, PM Modi highlighted Operation Sindoor, GST 2.0 reforms, and the eradication of Naxalism, saying India embodies both stability and sensitivity

Over 250 burn cases reported in Delhi on Diwali, most from firecrackers

More than 250 people suffered burn injuries in Delhi on Diwali, with hospitals across the city reporting a surge in cases, mostly caused by firecrackers, while the Safdarjung Hospital, which has the country's largest burn unit, recorded the highest number of 129 cases. After the Safdarjung Hospital, 55 burn cases were reported at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), 37 at the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, 16 at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Hospital and 15 at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The Centre-run Safdarjung Hospital received 129 burn cases on Diwali days (October 19 and 20), including 111 where the patients suffered minor burns and were treated on an OPD basis, while 18 patients with major burns were admitted, said Dr Sujata Sarabhai, Head of Burns, Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery at the hospital. Of the 129 cases, 118 were caused by firecrackers and 11 by diyas (earthen lamps). A total of 117 patients were from Delhi and nine had to undergo