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

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 Shri 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.