Happy Diwali!

Wishing all our members a joyous, healthy and prosperous Diwali and New Year!

What is Diwali?

Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Diwali is celebrated by Sikhs, Jains and Hindus around the world.

Hindus celebrate the return of deities Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. They also celebrate the day Mother Goddess Durga destroyed a demon called Mahisha.

Sikhs particularly celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru Hargobind Singh in 1619. But Sikhs celebrated the festival before this date. In fact, the foundation stone of the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the most holy place in the Sikh world, was laid on Diwali in 1577.

The founder of Jainism is Lord Mahavira. During Diwali, Jains celebrate the moment he reached a state called Moksha (nirvana, or eternal bliss).

To find out more about Diwali, visit the BBC!

How can you support your community during Diwali?

Visit your local communities and find out how you can help. Diwali Basket Brigade is a community initiative funded on donations and run by local volunteers. They provide food hampers to socially deprived / vulnerable households, from all faiths and backgrounds in the UK, ahead of Diwali. To donate to this wonderful cause, click here.