This weekend sees the return of the annual festival of lights – Diwali – one of the most important celebrations in India and its diaspora.
What is Diwali?
Diwali is the “festival of lights” celebrated by millions of people worldwide.
The festival, also known as Deepavali, meaning “rows of lamps” in Sanskrit, sees people decorating their homes with candles and colourful gifts for five days as they celebrate the triumph of light over dark and good over evil.
As well as the decorations, families recite prayers in the hope of a bright future.
The festival principally honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and coincides with the busiest shopping days of the year in India.
For Hindus, the day itself is said to mark when the god Rama returned to the mythological island of Lanka to defeat the demon king Ravana, who had kidnapped his wife Sita.
When is Diwali?
The date of Diwali changes every year as is calculated according to the position of the moon and the Hindu lunar calendar.
This year it will begin on 30 October and last for five days.
Who celebrates Diwali?
It is primarily known as a Hindu celebration but Sikhs, Buddhists and Jains also celebrate it for different reasons.
Instead of the Rama story, Sikhs use the festival to mark when one of the earlier leader, or gurus, Guru Har Gobind, broke out of prison and arrived at the Golden Temple in Amritsar – one of their most holy sites.
In Jainism it marks the day one of their early holy men, Vardhamāna, found Nirvana and Vajrayana Buddhists in Nepal – who worship deities alongside the teachings of the Buddha – use the occasion to worship Lakshmi.
How will it be celebrated in the UK?
Events will be being held across the UK, with Leicester hosting 37,000 people at largest light switch-on outside India in 2015.
The Leicester Mercury reported that this year’s celebration is set to be bigger than ever with the council reportedly spending £88,000 on several events.
Many cities around the country are hosting events which will include Indian dance, music, theatre and exhibitions.
The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in London will host a two-day festival celebration of Diwali.
Thousands are expected to arrive at the temple to participate in the puja (prayer ritual) and watch a fireworks display, IB Times reported.
