USPS Unveils Diwali Stamp Celebrating Festival of Lights

The U.S. Postal Service is marking the Hindu festival of Diwali with a new Forever stamp featuring a vibrant rangoli design, the traditional floor pattern created with colored powders and flower petals that symbolizes good fortune.

The stamp showcases an intricate rangoli created by artist Sangita Bhutada, who has been crafting the designs for nearly 30 years. The artwork displays blues, oranges, greens, reds and whites set against a purple background. The stamp will be sold in panes of 20 and will always equal the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.

Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important annual Hindu celebrations, typically observed over five days in autumn. This year's main festival day falls on November 8. The celebration marks the triumph of good over evil, with families creating rangolis in and around their homes during the five-day observance.

The stamp's first-day-of-issue ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C., with a ceremonial unveiling and reception at 6 p.m. ET. Customers can purchase the stamp through usps.com, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail, or at Post Office locations nationwide.