Diwali
Thursday 23 October 2014

Diwali is one of the most important and colourful festivals of the Hindu calendar. It is a time when charity, goodwill, family values and the love of God are celebrated and reinforced.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden, London, hosts the largest Diwali and Hindu New Year celebrations in the country. Open to one and all, the celebrations are an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy the traditions, colours and rich culture of the Hindu faith.

Darshan

Open all day until 8.30pm

Chopda Pujan

6.00pm to 7.30pm
Haveli Assembly Hall

Fireworks Display

8.30pm to 9.00pm
Gibbons Park
(Behind The Swaminarayan School)

Hot Snacks

4.00pm onwards
Food Stalls

View Video

Getting Here

Parking

Parking will be available at Wembley Park’s Pink Car Park from 9.00am to 10.00pm. Shuttle buses to and from the Mandir will be in operation throughout these times.

For families with disability badge-holders, please contact us at diwali@uk.baps.org or phone the Mandir for special arrangements.

Public Transport

Transport for London will be operating a special bus service on Sunday 12 November for Diwali visitors to Neasden Temple.

From Neasden Station to the Mandir (Brentfield Road) every 10 minutes from 5.30pm to 6.45pm

From the Mandir (Brentfield Road) to Neasden Station every 8 minutes after the fireworks display until 9.30pm

Contact Us

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Pramukh Swami Road
Neasden, London NW10 8HW, UK
T: +44 (0)20 8965 2651
F: +44 (0)20 8965 6313
E: info@londonmandir.baps.org

Visitor Information

Please visit neasdentemple.org/diwali for all the latest and full details to help make your experience as safe and enriching as possible.

Learn More

    Diwali is often referred to as the ‘Festival of Light’, and is traditionally marked by placing decorated oil lamps (each called a (‘deepa’) in rows (‘avali’) – hence the Sanskrit name, ‘Deepavali’.

    This practice can be traced to the return of Bhagwan Rama to Ayodhya after vanquishing the evil King Ravana. The people of Ayodhya celebrated his return by lining the streets with oil lamps and decorating their front yards with colourful patterned designs (called a rangoli).

    Diwali thus celebrates the triumph of good over evil and is a reminder to dispel inner darkness with the light of God’s presence.