Celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, with this Official First Day Cover.

This stamp heralds the arrival of Diwali, one of the largest and most widely celebrated festivals in India. Observed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and other communities in Canada and around the world, the Festival of Light – as it is also known – falls this year on October 24.

The issue was cancelled on October 6, several weeks ahead of Diwali. The cancel location is Calgary, Alberta, a city that is home to a large population of Indo-Canadians.

Tales differ about the origins of Diwali. According to one legend dating back to 650-550 BCE, the festival originated to honour the return of Prince Rama and his wife, Sita, after 14 years in exile. Rama, who was to assume the throne, was banished from Ayodhya at the bidding of his stepmother, who wanted her own son to become ruler. Rama and Sita were living in the forest when Sita was kidnapped by the 10-headed demon king, Ravana. After slaying the tyrant in an epic battle, Rama freed his wife and returned home, triumphant. The couple, soon to be crowned king and queen, arrived to find their path – and their village – illuminated with dīpāvali (rows of oil lamps, or diyas), from which the word Diwali is derived.

Today, fireworks are set off and millions of candles, lamps and colourful lights are used to decorate homes and communities around the world in honour of Diwali. This year, Diwali falls on October 24, 2022.

The Official First Day Cover design features illustrations of fireworks at night – a central part of Diwali celebrations – by Arthur Grivel, of the Montréal design firm Paprika. The colourful images are also evocative of the intricate Rangoli patterns created on the floors of entrance ways to welcome good fortune during the celebration.

The cancel image is a line drawing of a Rangoli pattern with a diya at its centre.

Product # 414195131

Diwali (2022): Official First Day Cover