The United States Postal Service (USPS) has released a commemorative postage stamp celebrating Diwali, featuring a colourful rangoli design created by Sangita Bhutada, an Indian-origin artist based in the Houston area of Texas.
The stamp was issued on October 21, 2026, at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C. India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, USPS Senior Vice President Shibani Gambhir and Bhutada participated in the unveiling ceremony.
Editorial Insight
Key Highlights
Important points readers should notice.
The USPS issued the Diwali commemorative stamp on October 21, 2026.
The stamp features rangoli artwork created by Sangita Bhutada.
The unveiling ceremony took place at the Embassy of India in Washington, D.C.
Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Shibani Gambhir and Bhutada participated in the ceremony.
Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp using a photograph by Bijay Dixit.
William J. Gicker served as the art director.
The design features an intricate rangoli pattern in blue, orange, green, red and white against a purple background. Rangoli is a traditional Indian folk art in which decorative patterns are created using materials such as coloured powders, sand and flower petals. These designs are commonly made in and around homes during Diwali and are associated with good fortune.
Bhutada created the original rangoli artwork using coloured sand and starch-based powders. The design was photographed by Bijay Dixit. Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp using the photograph, while William J. Gicker served as the project’s art director.
The 2026 issue is the second Diwali commemorative stamp released by the USPS, following its first Diwali stamp in 2016. The new stamp is issued as a Forever stamp, which remains valid for the prevailing First-Class Mail one-ounce postage rate in the United States.
Editorial Analysis
Why This Matters
The stamp brings an Indian folk-art tradition to the United States' postal system and recognises the cultural significance of Diwali. It also highlights the contribution of an Indian-origin artist to a national commemorative stamp issue.
The stamp is available in panes of 20 through USPS sales channels.
