Preparations for Diwali 2024 are effectively underway forward of the annual celebration on the finish of this month.
Yearly, round October and November, skies throughout the UK are full of fireworks as festivities happen.
The five-day pageant of lights is a celebration of the triumph of fine over evil and is marked by hundreds of thousands of individuals around the globe.
The principle day this yr falls on Friday, November 1, however some celebrations – together with a big London one – will happen the weekend earlier than.
In Trafalgar Sq. on October 27, a pageant of lights can be held from 1pm to 7pm.
The free, family-friendly occasion will function a music and dance line-up on the primary stage, in addition to workshops, meals stalls, and humanities and crafts actions.
Discover out the whole lot you might want to find out about why and the way Diwali is well known.
Diwali 2021
When is Diwali celebrated this yr?
The pageant often happens between October and November, although the date adjustments yearly. This yr (2024), Diwali is happening on Friday, November 1.
The dates are decided by the place of the brand new moon. It’s celebrated in the course of the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.
Who celebrates Diwali and why do folks have a good time it?
Originating in India, Diwali is well known internationally by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, however for various causes.
The Hindus have a good time the return of Lord Rama – an avatar of the Hindu supreme god Lord Vishnu – together with his spouse and brother to the Kingdom of Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years.
The streets and cities are lit up with diwas (candles) to welcome them residence.
Diwali is well known by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains
Victoria Jones/PA
In South India, Diwali is the day on which demon Narakasura was defeated by Sri Krishna and Satyabhama.
To others, Diwali is devoted to the Goddess Lakshmi, who’s believed to convey wealth and prosperity.
In lots of households, the celebrations embody a puja (worship) of the Goddess to hope for well being and happiness.
Sikhs, in the meantime, have a good time the discharge from jail of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh within the early 1600s.
The Jains have a good time Diwali as Lord Mahavira, the final Jain Tirthankaras, achieved Nirvana.
Diwali celebrations in UK cities have turn into in all probability the most important outdoors India, based on the British Sikh Affiliation.
“Diwali is well known on the residence of the Prime Minister 10 Downing Avenue, on the Home of Commons, with cross-party Parliamentarians becoming a member of within the celebrations as we’re as we speak,” a spokesperson of the affiliation instructed the PA information company.
“Diwali at Trafalgar Sq. is attended by 1000’s of individuals, together with vacationers visiting the capital who’re mesmerised to see the colorful pageant of music, dance and meals.”
What do folks do to have a good time?
Diwali is “in all probability greatest skilled in India”, although celebrations are seen extensively throughout the globe, based on the Hindu Council UK.
“It’s a family-friendly occasion with a lot of actions occurring together with music and dance performances, workshops and a few children actions. And there’s an enormous array of Indian meals to pattern from all of the meals stalls and a large firework show to finish the pageant.
“In India, homes are cleaned, usually renovated, and at all times illuminated with glowing fairy lights and oil lamps. Most doorways and foyers are adorned with lovely designs on the ground, known as rangolis.
“Youngsters wait on the candy retailers to purchase sweets, excited children gentle up the skies with their repertoire of rigorously sourced firecrackers and shout ‘Joyful Diwali’ to the unsuspecting passers-by.”
Gifts of clothes and sweets are additionally exchanged between folks, with markets and stalls promoting objects months earlier than the pageant takes place.
