Thai Hindu community celebrates Diwali at a temple in Chiang Mai

Members of the Hindu community in Chiang Mai, Thailand, gathered at the Dev Mandir temple on Sunday to observe Diwali, the Festival of Lights.

Devotees participated in traditional rituals to mark the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance. People illuminated the temple and their homes with diyas, which are small clay oil lamps used to invite auspicious energies during the five-day observance.

Participants performed puja, a worship ritual where they offered prayers to Mother Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha. One attendee, Udy, stated that he joined the gathering to share the love of the community and seek blessings for the health and happiness of his family in the coming year.