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Diwali 2025: Diwali, also called Deepavali, is a five-day festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival is celebrated all over India and other parts of the world with great enthusiasm and passion, mostly where there are Hindu communities.

Among the deities worshipped during the festival are Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the one who removes obstacles.

Diwali is a time for spiritual renewal, family reunions, and elaborate celebrations. In the past, Diwali celebration typically involved lighting diyas (earthen lamps), decorating houses with flower petals, giving and receiving gifts in person, and sharing sweets made by the local confectioners.

Nevertheless, the modern 'digital Diwali' is heralding an extraordinary transformation in the Indian customary celebration of the festival of lights by intermingling the ancient and the modern. The whole scenario of Diwali is changing through digital payments, online shopping, and celebrations that are all virtual, along with light decorations that are eco-friendly.

a) Virtual parties can be hosted through social media channels, thus allowing people to be together even if they are living far apart.

b) The stars of Instagram and YouTube are active in promoting the new age celebrations by virtue of eco-friendly decorations, ethnic dresses, and hybrid cuisines, which are therefore making the celebrations a hit.

a) The use of organic rangoli colours and biodegradable diyas as festive, eco-friendly decorations is an indication of the rising environmental concern.

b) The festival is more creative and eco-friendly as well as more appealing due to the ideas for making your own decorations and upcycled art.

Recently, the Supreme Court of India also allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) from October 18 to 21, confining their use during specific hours.

In recent times, people have also witnessed a surge in the use of LED lights across streets in their vicinity during the Diwali festivities. This shift from traditional diyas and lanterns to LED lights in Diwali celebrations also reflects changing times and priorities.

a) E-gifting and web-based gifts become an easy and modern way to tell people about the traditional gifting.

Recently, the Indian government encouraged citizens to gift a FASTag annual pass this Diwali, offering a year of hassle-free travel across India’s National Highways.

b) The online world provides a platform for sharing stories, recipes, and traditions about the celebrations.

a) Unified Payments Interface (UPI): The UPI is now a very popular payment method, and Paytm, PhonePe, and Google Pay have made the transactions hassle-free.

b) E-commerce platforms: E-commerce sites like Amazon and Flipkart give the plus points of discounts and doorstep delivery; therefore, online shopping has turned out to be the favourite of customers.

Technology indeed increases the lavishness of the Diwali celebration regarding comfort, reachability, and artistry, while at the same time it provides the threat of commercialisation and the diminishing of traditional values.

Currently working as a trainee Sub-Editor at Zee Business, Shristi Rani is passionate about storytelling and delivering content that engages diverse audiences across digita