Happy Diwali! Oct 31, 2024

Homes sparkle with decorations, and the night sky bursts with colour as Diwali celebrations begin. Also known as "Deepavali," the name translates to "rows (avali) of lights (deepa)" in Sanskrit, capturing the essence of this festival. Widely celebrated across various religions and regions, each has its own origin story. Regardless of the countless narratives and reasons behind the festivities, the central theme remains the triumph of good over evil. For many, Diwali is a homage to Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, who is thought to be guided into the homes of devotees by the glow of lights and lamps. The day isn"t just about lights and legends—it"s also a time for enjoying moments with loved ones, exchanging gifts and sweets, indulging in delicious feasts and dressing up in new outfits. Observed worldwide, its largest celebrations outside of India occur in Leicester, United Kingdom.

© Umang Gajjar/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Whos in this creepy copse?
Oct 31, 2023Füzér Castle in the Zemplén Mountains, Hungary
Oct 31, 2025Bran Castle in Bran, Brașov, Romania

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 23, 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
Jul 27, 2024Vineyards above the Moselle River, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
Apr 24, 2025Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Jan 26, 2024Republic Day
Centuries of time in a Delicate Arch
Jul 3, 2024Meerkat family
Big rocks, big heads
Apr 8, 2024Burrowing owl chicks
May 14, 2024Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA
Feb 21, 2026Red fox, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, United States
Oct 13, 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy
Feb 28, 2024Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Jun 26, 2024Banggai cardinalfish with sea anemone
Where are these spectacular peaks?
Fit for a fairytale
A cuddling pair of Taiwan yuhina
Apr 8, 2026Seattle, Washington, United States
Feb 13, 2024Marigny, New Orleans, USA
Jul 8, 2024Blueberries growing in the wild
Sep 22, 2023World Rhinoceros Day
Jun 30, 2025Asteroid Day
Apr 7, 2025North American beaver, Moran, Wyoming, United States
May 6, 2025An ultralight aircraft flying over the sands of Namibia
Jan 6, 2024A male chaffinch in a crab apple tree
Mar 28, 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China
Mar 3, 2026Celebrating Holi
Dec 5, 2025Maya site of Copán
A splash of colour
Aug 21, 2024Nazca boobies, Wolf Island, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Jul 29, 2024International Tiger Day