Beginning on Thursday, more than a billion people around the world will began the annual celebration of Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights that many consider to be the start of the new year.
Typically, the festival is marked by celebrations both at home and in large community gatherings by people of many faiths in both India and the diaspora. In recent years, celebrations have become increasingly mainstream in America with large events in Disneyland and Times Square as well as convention centers across the country.
This year, Diwali festivities will likely revert back to more intimate family gatherings coupled with online observances as both countries grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
India, which has reported more than 8.6 million COVID-19 cases and more than 127,000 deaths, is second only to the United States which has more than 10.2 million cases and nearly 240,000 deaths, according to data from John Hopkins University. CONTINUE READING: Diwali 2020: What is the festival of lights and how is it celebrated?
