The United States Postal Service (USPS) will issue a new Diwali Forever stamp in October 2026, ahead of the festival’s main day on November 8.
The stamp features a vibrant rangoli design — a traditional floor pattern made from materials such as colored rice powder, chalk and flower petals, believed to bring good luck. This year’s artwork has been created by Houston-based artist Sangita Bhutada, an Indian-born practitioner of this traditional folk art for nearly three decades. The artwork was photographed by Bijay Dixit, designed by Jennifer Arnold, and directed by William J. Gicker.
Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most important holidays on the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated over five days and symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. Millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists observe the festival worldwide, including across the United States. It has become a prominent cultural event, marked at the White House, in Congress, and at state and city levels.
The first Diwali Forever stamp was released in 2016 after years of advocacy led by community leader Ranju Batra, with bipartisan support from Congress and the administration. Since then, the stamp has become one of USPS’s most popular commemoratives and a visible symbol of the growing influence of the Indian-American community.
The USPS has issued only two Diwali Forever stamps so far: the first in 2016 featuring a traditional diya lamp, and the upcoming 2026 release showcasing a rangoli design. Together, they mark milestones in recognizing the cultural presence of Indian-Americans in the U.S.
