Celebrating Light, Culture, and the Art of Letter Writing. This Is The Second Diwali Stamp. The First One Was Issued In 2016.

The U.S. Postal Service has officially unveiled the new 2026 Diwali Forever stamp, featuring a stunning, vibrant rangoli design by Houston-based artist Sangita Bhutada. This is the second Diwali stamp. The first one was issued in 2016.

833201 – even before I knew about my own pin-code back in India, I remember this one till date. It has now been erased from the directory of Pin-codes. This was my aunt’s pin-code from the 80s and 90s before Jharkhand was carved out of Bihar. The US 2026 Diwali Forever Stamp brought back fond memories of writing letters during my childhood. My mother inculcated the habit of writing letters to my aunt who lived miles away and the phone lines those days used to be so filled with disturbances that writing letters seemed to be the best possible way.

The postcards seemed to be the easiest one to write on, but I realised I had too much to share in that small piece of card. I switched to inland-letters, where I could write a little more to say what I wanted my aunt to read. There were talks about my friends, what I ate, what is happening in school, and also when will she be visiting us. I think the last question was asked too many times. My mom made me memorize the pin-code and the address so that I can write everything on my own. That was a learning I think I did not forget. Remembering the now-defunct pin-code is the testament to that.

In the US, I often receive postal mails, cards from friends during celebrations – it was something that did not happen too often back home as recent as 2022. I will not shy away to say that I felt so overwhelmed when a mail came in my name in the Post Box outside my house for the first time here, especially a greeting card from my uncle.

The entire process of selecting the card, writing the names of the people you want to share your thoughts with, then stamped and going to the Post Office to mail them – captures the love and longing of your loved ones. This is priceless. And, this is something a digital note or a card can never touch.

This year’s US Diwali Forever stamp release means much more than just a postage – it is about acknowledging the Indian diaspora and its traditions and diversity. According to the USPS, “the original work took eight to 10 days, as opposed to the four to six hours Bhutada normally spends on a rangoli, and was 8 feet in diameter so when it was photographed it would come out properly in high resolution, she explained. Photographer Bijay Dixit, also based in the Houston area, did the honors. The resulting image was then set against a brilliant purple background.”

William J. Gicker served as the project’s art director. Jennifer Arnold designed the stamp, which will be sold in panes of 20.

“Since 1893, the Postal Service has issued stamps commemorating the cultures of people who have come from around the world,” said Shibani Gambhir, USPS revenue operations senior vice president, who served as the dedicating official. “Ours is truly a world culture, and our stamps allow us to weave together a tapestry that reflects the rich and multifaceted heritage of America.”