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 9.00pm
Chopda Pujan
6.00pm to 7.15pm
Haveli Assembly Hall
Fireworks Display
8.30pm to 9.00pm
The Swaminarayan School Grounds
Hot Snacks
5.00pm onwards
Food Stalls
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Getting Here
Parking
Parking will be available at Wembley Park’s Pink Car Park from 3.00pm to 10.00pm. Shuttle buses to and from the Mandir will be in operation throughout these times.
Please contact us at diwali@uk.baps.org by Tuesday 29th October 2024, if you are a family with a disability badge holder.
Public Transport
A special bus service will be operating on Thursday 31st October for Diwali visitors to Neasden Temple.
From Neasden Station to the Mandir (Brentfield Road) every 10 minutes from 5.30pm to 7.30pm
From the Mandir (Brentfield Road) to Neasden Station every 8 minutes after the fireworks display until 9.30pm
Bus 206 and 224 will operate their normal service.
British Transport Police will be at the station to assist.
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.
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