Fear of the coronavirus and chronic pollution spoiled the party Saturday as hundreds of millions of Indians celebrated the biggest Hindu holiday of the year.
Diwali is meant to be the festival of light, but the pandemic has clouded the future for many in the country of 1.3 billion.
Some people defiantly set off traditional firecrackers in Delhi in spite of a ban imposed because of sky-high pollution levels and markets were filled with holiday shoppers. But traders said COVID-19 had scared them off spending amidst the muted revelry.
With 8.7 million cases, India has the world's second-highest coronavirus infection count behind the United States.
About 130,000 people have died since February and Delhi is going through a new surge with nearly 8,000 new cases a day, which experts have blamed on Diwali crowds.
Engineer Rahul Randhawa, 27, returned from the United States expecting to see a toned down Diwali but found "the total opposite".
"There are major jams on the street... and there are huge crowds in markets," he said.
However, the crowds are being selective. No crowds are allowed at sports events. Cinemas are open but remain empty. Restaurants say they are struggling to get people to come in.
Indian people light fireworks on the occasion of the Diwali festival in Jammu, India, 14 November 2020. Source: EPA
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US president-elect Joe Biden and his deputy Kamala Harris, whose mother was Indian, were among world leaders to issue Diwali messages.
"May everyone be prosperous and healthy," Mr Modi told his 63.5 million Twitter followers.
But the government is struggling to kick-start an economy that is expected to shrink by nearly 10 per cent this year because of the pandemic.
Millions across the country have lost their jobs.
The government this week announced incentives worth more than $35 billion USD to boost employment, consumer demand, agriculture and manufacturing. Since May, it has spent about $300 billion USD on stimulus measures.
In Nepal, a predominantly Hindu nation, people appeared to be responding to a government appeal to celebrate the festival indoors with immediate family and avoid large gatherings or public celebrations.
Celebrations at home
Australia's Indian community, which usually hosts big fairs and events, is celebrating with more subdued affairs this year as concern around the virus lingers.
Dr Yadu Singh, President of the Federation of Indian Associations of New South Wales, told SBS News members of the Indian community were being especially cautious and responsible with social distancing requirements this year.
“This year we do not have any fairs, we don’t have big dinners, small dinners yes. We don’t have 400, 500 people going to dinners, but we do have celebrations at home,” he said.
“We are heedful of the need to practice social distancing. The celebration will not be as flamboyant, it will not be open in the park, but we will celebrate at home with family members, only family members."
Yadu Singh celebrating Diwali at home with his family in Sydney. Source: SBS News
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a video message this week that the 2020 festival's message carries "a special significance".
"Most years, we often think of this dispelling of darkness as a theoretical concept rather than something that is experienced and overcome,” he said.
"Every nation on earth is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lives and livelihoods have been lost as we have witnessed the most dramatic shock in generations.
"Yes, we have seen darkness this year, but the light is overcoming that darkness. There is light ahead, and there is hope.”
Additional reporting by Jarni Blakkarly and Dom Vukovic.
