Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared a breathtaking video of India shining bright during Diwali night. He filmed the clip from the space station’s observation module during his 18-day orbital mission. The video went viral on X (formerly Twitter) within hours. Millions of people viewed and praised the incredible sight.
India Lights Up the Night Sky
The video shows India glowing from southwest to northeast, creating a glowing trail of light across the land. Cities appear like shining constellations scattered over the dark Earth.
In his caption, Shukla, fondly called “Shux”, wrote, “Flying over India from space, from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast, is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you.”
Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being.
— Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) October 20, 2025
The peninsula glows like a jewel. To the left, Pune sparkles; below, Bengaluru… pic.twitter.com/ZWfwWFlz9R
“The Peninsula Glows Like a Jewel”
Shukla said India’s brightness stood out even from hundreds of kilometres above. “The peninsula glows like a jewel, Pune sparkles; Bengaluru and Hyderabad shimmer like constellations drawn by human hands,” he said.
As the spacecraft moved north, faint glimmers appeared over the capital. “And far on the horizon, a faint yet familiar gleam, New Delhi makes its presence known,” he added.
Nature’s Fireworks Add to the View
Shukla also saw flashes of lightning over the Bay of Bengal and central India. He called them “purple flares” and described them as “nature’s own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is.”
As the craft approached the Himalayas, the glowing plains faded into dark mountain shapes. Soon, an orbital sunrise turned the sky a soft blue.
“Diwali of Earth”
In closing, Shukla reflected on the breathtaking view. “This isn’t just Diwali on Earth, it’s Diwali of Earth – the festival of lights written across an entire nation, glowing proudly on a cosmic stage,” he said.
His video not only showed India’s beauty from space but also captured the spirit of Diwali shining beyond Earth.