Diwali 2022

19 Oct 2022

Diwali is a festival of lights and one of the major religious festivals in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. Customs of Diwali differ depending on the region and tradition.

The festival usually lasts 5 days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika (between mid-October and mid-November). In 2022, the 5 days of Diwali commence on 22 October.

The main festivities for Diwali are held in India, but it is also celebrated in many other countries around the world. Many people will travel abroad to visit friends and relatives at this time.

Advice for travellers

If you are planning on travelling abroad to celebrate Diwali, you consider the following:

Foreign travel advice

Check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Foreign travel advice for each country you plan to visit and be aware that FCDO advice can change at short notice. In particular, check if there are:

Any travel advisories in place:

• for example, the FCDO currently advise against all travel to some parts of India, including the immediate vicinity of the border with Pakistan, Jammu and Kashmir (with some exceptions)

Entry requirements:

• this may include COVID-19 vaccination requirements, screening and/or quarantine requirements for UK travellers

General Health

If you are attending Diwali celebrations abroad, you should consider:

• making sure you are up to date with routine UK schedule vaccinations
• check if you need any travel vaccinations or boosters before travel; you can find this out in the 'vaccinations' section of each country page
• consider if malaria is a risk at your destination, and if so, be aware of the measures you can take to prevent malaria, including mosquito bite avoidance
• having a valid, comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers COVID-19 related illness and/or unexpected delays
• avoiding insect bites and taking care with food and water safety precautions, respiratory hygiene and hand hygiene during travel and when you are abroad
• reviewing the advice on visiting friends and relatives
• reviewing the advice on personal safety, accident prevention, sexual health risks and sun safety

If you think you need vaccines, malaria advice and/or tablets, you should have a travel health risk assessment.

After Travel

If you become unwell after you return to the UK with a high temperature (fever) or flu-like illness, you should seek urgent medical advice. Always tell the healthcare professional about your recent travel abroad, particularly if you have travelled to a country where malaria is a risk.