Sparkling fireworks, laser shows, colourful stalls and cultural programs dazzled thousands of people who gathered to witness the Diwali celebrations across the United Arab Emirates over the weekend.

This year, Diwali – the Hindu festival of lights, is being celebrating on Sunday. Festivities for the same commenced on Thursday across the country.

India, Diwali, and the UAE 

Several Indian expats applauded UAE’s tolerance as the community came together at popular spots to celebrate the biggest Hindu festival.

Dubai and Abu Dhabi kicked off the biggest ever celebration of Diwali on Thursday with massive fireworks.

Dazzling fireworks at Dubai Festival Mall City filled Dubai sky with colours…thanks @DFCMall @dubaitourism pic.twitter.com/FAvokR1Bun

— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) October 24, 2019

The 3 day festivities of Diwali Market organized by @DCDAbuDhabi at Capital Park will conclude this midnight. Event starts at 6 pm. Few glimpses of yesterday’s celebrations. @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/1e8wnOOfnM

— India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) October 27, 2019

Read: India’s Shifting Demographics Have Led to Lower Gold Purchases

Meanwhile, the Dubai Police Band playing the Indian National Anthem during Diwali celebrations in Hathi’s Garden became one of the top trends on twitter.

Dubai Police Band playing India’s National Anthem ahead of the official Diwali celebrations titled Hathi’s Garden in Dubai. The program has been organized by the Dubai tourism in association with the Indian Consulate in Dubai. @cgidubai pic.twitter.com/FB3BU6gNkE

— DD India – English News (@DDIndiaLive) October 24, 2019

A series of shows and performances took off at different venues organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) and the Indian Consulate in Dubai. This year’s Diwali theme at Dubai Festival City Mall is ‘Make Your Diwali Brighter Than Ever.’

Many gathered to watch Bollywood song-and-dance sequences and a special IMAGINE show – bringing 50 life-size baby elephant statues to Dubai for the first time in the Middle East. The statues will form part of a six-week exhibition around the Mall giving shoppers the chance to capture pictures with the beautiful artefacts and raise awareness for elephant conservation.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, also wished the Indian community Diwali on Twitter: “May the light from the festivities around the world shine a blessing of love and hope on us all.”

To all who are celebrating Diwali, let me wish them, on behalf of the people and residents of UAE, a truly joyful festival.

May the light from the festivities around the world shine a blessing of love and hope on us all.

— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) October 24, 2019

In an effort to curb illegal sale of fireworks across Dubai, the city police has enforced strict regulations. Anyone selling firecrackers will be jailed up to three months or fined AED 5,000, according to several media reports.

Read: How UAE is likely to propel India’s $5-trillion economy target

The Diwali Story

Diwali (also known as Deepavali), the festival of lights, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness. Ancient legends and Sanskrit epic Ramayana – one of the largest ancient epics in world literature, records the first celebration of Deepavali after Ram, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman reached Ayodhya (located in modern day state Uttar Pradesh in India) after a 14-year period of exile. Scholars estimate the text ages back to 3rd of 4th century BCE.

Over the years, Diwali became a five to six day festival, beginning with Dhanteras and ending with Bhai Dooj.

Diwali 2019 Wishes & Messages

Here are some Happy Diwali wishes and messages for you:

• May the light of Diwali fill your home with the light of joy and happiness. Wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous Diwali.
• May this Diwali, come up with beautiful beginnings,
  Fresh hopes, bright days and new dreams,
  🙏 Wishing you and your family a very happy Diwali 🙏
• Let’s make this Diwali joyous and bright, Let’s celebrate in true sense this festival of light. Happy Deepawali
• May the light of diyas fill your home with wealth, happiness, and everything that brings you joy! Wish you and your entire family a very Happy Diwali!
• Shoot A Rocket Of Prosperity!
  Fire A Flowerpot Of Happiness!
  Wish U And Your Family A Sparkling Diwali!
• Wishing you a gleam of diyas, echo of holy chants, contentment and happiness today, tomorrow and forever. Have a happy and prosperous Diwali!
• May you all attain full inner illumination! May the supreme light of lights enlighten your understanding! May you all attain the inexhaustible spiritual wealth of the Self! May you all prosper gloriously on the material as well as spiritual planes! Happy Diwali
• Candles to enjoy life; Decorations to light life; Presents to share success; Fire Crackers to burn evils; Sweets to sweeten success, And worship to thank god! Wish you a joyous and prosperous Diwali!

BusinessLive Middle East wishes all the readers a very Happy Diwali.