Diwali is the name given to the five-day long festival of lights celebrated in autumn in India, and by Hindus, Sikhs, and some Buddhists around the world.
In 2019, Diwali Day, the final day of the celebration, falls on Sunday, October 27th.
It takes its name from the clay lamps or deepa (the event is sometimes called Deepawali) that many Indians light outside their home. With the days shortening in Germany, there's all the more reason to celebrate light, and for the country's Indian community in particular.
Currently there are about 100,000 Indians living in Germany, and nearly 175,000 people of Indian descent.
READ MORE: The five most common challenges Indians face in Germany
A diverse celebration
Exactly what is celebrated differs in different parts of India; for example, many northern Indians use the day to mark the return of King Rama to Ayodhya after defeating demon-king Ravana, while in southern India it marks the defeat of demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna.
The festival lasts five days, with specific rituals and activities assigned to each day. They begin with cleaning your house on the first day and decorating it, usually with clay lamps and patterns of coloured sand, on the second.
The third day is when families meet for prayer and food, and the fourth day is seen as the start of the new year, with friends and relatives visiting each other with gifts. On the fifth and final day, it's traditional for brothers to visit their married sisters and for the sisters' family to welcome them with a meal.
Food is a major part of the celebrations, which originated as a way of marking the year's last harvest before winter.
Whether you belong to Germany's growing Indian community, or just want to take part in the colourful festivities, we break down where you can celebrate the event throughout the country.
The Sri Ganeesha Hindu Temple in Neukölln is hosting celebrations on Diwali Day alongside Berlin Indiawaale, an Indian performance group.
Doors open for the event at 3 p.m., and it will run till 9 p.m., offering a traditional Puja (prayer ritual) to the Hindu community of Berlin.
As well as formalities, for a small entry fee of €5 (free for under eight years), which goes towards the construction of the temple, you can enjoy dance performances, Indian food, and an appearance by “Mr Bollywood” himself: Derrick Linco.
The Temple promises to be a home away from home as Berlin's Indian community celebrates Diwali.
Munich
On the evening before Diwali, Saturday October 26th, the German-Indian Association in Munich is hosting “the biggest Diwali celebration in South Germany”.
The doors of the Kulturhaus Milbertshofen will open at 5 p.m. for a night of Indian folk dancing, Bollywood discos, Indian food, live music and fireworks to prepare Bavaria for Diwali the following day.
Tickets for the event are €13, and children under five can enter for free. Though you better be quick, as tickets are selling out quickly online!
Local residents can also visit the Indian Grocery Store, Bollywood Store and Kohinoor to purchase their tickets.
Darmstadt-Frankfurt
On the evening of Diwali, the German-Indian Society of Darmstadt-Frankfurt are gearing up to close the night with a special celebration.
At 7pm, at the Bessunger Knabenschule, attendees can enjoy a night of prayer, classical and folk dancing, food, music and sweet treats.
The German-Indian Society are an organization which aims to support the region’s Indian community and connect the two countries, offering Indian film nights with German subtitles as well as Hindi language classes.
Entry to the Diwali celebrations is €12, €9 for members, and tickets for the event can be found online.
Diwali celebrations in Dresden in 2016 inside of the Pillnitz Castle. Photo: DPA
Bonn
Once October has been and gone, and you’re feeling the post-Diwali blues, Bonn has the answer for you.
The Bürgerverein Vilich-Müldorf is hosting an all-inclusive post-Diwali event, thanks to Bonn's Indian Association, which offers attendees food, drinks, dancing and a range of cultural programmes.
Event organizers even encourage you to wear Indian-dress, so that you don’t have to put your scree away too early!
Early bird tickets to the event are still available online.
Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony
If your Friday nights are looking as dark as the nights becoming, the Indian Family Association of Wolfsburg are ready to light up your evening on November 1st.
Professional dance groups from South Germany and Poland are invited to Wolfsburg’s grand Congresspark to join the festivities of the Association’s biggest event of the calendar.
Attendees will enjoy a showcase of various Indian dances, as well as food, fireworks and a Bollywood dance workshop.
All-inclusive tickets for the showcase are still available online. Get ‘em while you can!
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