As the Festival of Lights illuminates homes and temples worldwide, Thailand’s Hindu community gathered to honor a tradition rooted in ancient history, faith, and family at a local Hindu temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Sunday.
“I’m here just to participate with the community and celebrate Diwali together. The blessings and feelings I feel are the love of everyone and also the blessings of all the gods and all the spiritual deities that exist in our religion,” said Udy, also known as Uthai in Thai language, at the Dev Mandir.
Diwali, globally recognized as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant holidays in Hinduism. It spiritually signifies the ultimate victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
During the five-day observance, temples and homes are illuminated with diyas (small clay oil lamps) to invite auspicious energies.
Central to the festival is the puja (worship ritual), where devotees offer prayers primarily to Mother Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, seeking blessings for the year ahead.
“As I do every year, I just pray that the family is happy and healthy,” Udy said, “and that the following year everything is good, everything is smooth, and this life is good.”
