Diwali: How is it different this year?

Social distancing, lockdown rules and the coronavirus all mean the Festival of Light - Diwali - will be a bit different this year.

Each year millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world celebrate the five-day festival, which in 2020 starts on Thursday 12 November.

Usually it involves going to the temple, huge firework displays, parties, and families getting together in their homes.

However, government ministers have warned that festivities, including Diwali, will not be "normal" this year.

There are different restrictions in different parts of the UK, including rules banning large groups and some restrictions on places of worship.

So how will this year be different and how can Diwali still be celebrated?

If you are celebrating, let us know what you have planned in the comments below.

How will Diwali be affected in England?

In England a four-week lockdown, which started on Thursday 5 November, will have a big impact.

The tougher restrictions mean people are being told to stay at home. Big family get-togethers can't happen - people aren't allowed to mix indoors or in private gardens with anyone they don't live with (unless they are in a support bubble together).

Places of worship, including temples, also have to close. There are some exceptions to this though such as for individual prayer.

The city of Leicester - which was the first city in the UK to be put under a local lockdown - usually has one of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India. Crowds of people get together for the traditional entertainment and fireworks.

This year instead, the city is putting on a virtual celebration which will be streamed online on Diwali Day (Saturday 14 November) - it'll include music, storytelling, dance and footage of the firework displays from previous years.

Thousands of people usually gather in Leicester for the switching on of the lights to mark the start of the Hindu festival of Diwali

Similarly, the usual big events in Trafalgar Square in London have been cancelled and will be online instead.

How will Diwali be affected in Scotland?

Under Scotland's new five-tier system, there are different rules in different areas.

There are no places which have the strictest rules at the moment, but for example, in locations such as the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, under tier three - any indoor gatherings inside people's homes are banned.

Under tiers two and three, places of worship can stay open but need to take measures to keep everyone as safe as possible. Indoor acts of worship are limited to a maximum of 50 people as long as there is enough space for people to keep two metres apart.

How will Diwali be affected in Northern Ireland?

Tougher rules in Northern Ireland have been extended for another week.

The restrictions came in on Friday 16 October and were due to end on Friday 13 November - the day before Diwali Day.

They include a ban on mass events - indoors or outdoors - involving more than 15 people, but gatherings in a place of worship for a religious activity are exempt.

Places of worship are still open and religious activities can continue as long as social distancing and local rules are followed.

People aren't allowed to mix indoors at home with people they don't live with, unless they are in a bubble together.

How will Diwali be affected in Wales?

Wales is now out of its temporary tougher rules which ended on 9 November.

This means members of two households there can form a bubble and meet at home. Places of worship can also resume services.

Although people can travel around Wales, people aren't allowed to travel between England and Wales.

Traditionally rangoli patterns are drawn on the floor - the most popular subject is the lotus flower

So how can Diwali be celebrated this year?

Although the celebrations will be different this year, there are still lots of ways to mark Diwali.

Some families who can't travel or meet up are planning to have virtual parties so they can still see friends and relatives.

Those celebrating Diwali usually decorate their homes too, including by lighting small oil lamps called diyas, and this year will be no different!

Lights are also put up in shops and streets.

They also make rangoli patterns and place them outside their front door to welcome Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth.

Families who live together, or are in a support bubble, can still of course also have a feast at home and make sweet treats.

Let us know what you are doing to celebrate Diwali, and what is different this year for you and your family, by commenting below.