London Hosts Vibrant Diwali Celebration

Thousands gathered in central London for a free celebration of light and colour, held in anticipation of Diwali. The Diwali on the Square event in Trafalgar Square showcased hundreds of dancers in multicoloured saris, alongside entertainment such as music, comedy shows, yoga, and workshops for tying saris and turbans. Diwali, recognized as the Festival of Light, is a significant observance for Hindus and Jains. Sikhs also commemorate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day. This festival, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, is set to occur on 31 October this year. For some Hindus, Diwali signifies the start of the new year and commemorates the return of deities Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile. Among Sikhs, the festival is identified as Bandi Chhor Divas, marking the release of the sixth guru, Hargobind Sahib, from prison in 1619. For Jains, it commemorates the moment Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, achieved a state of being referred to as Moksha, or eternal bliss. The Diwali in London Committee and the mayor of London jointly organize the Trafalgar Square event, which takes place annually. Volunteer Harj Sethi, representing Diwali in London, operated a stall throughout the day where individuals could learn to tie turbans. He recounted, “For many years we had the sari stand and they were tying saris and the guys were just standing around thinking, ‘what do we do?’ and we said well you know what, we’ll start tying turbans.” Sethi elaborated, “Different styles have different skills, different folds and different types of materials.” He encouraged attendees to try one, emphasizing the “universal” nature of the turban. “Kings in Africa… are wearing them, her late majesty Queen Elizabeth – she had worn a turban, the Sikhs – we wear turbans, people in the Middle East,” he noted. Attendees of all ages participated in the celebrations. Romilly, 17, stated that despite not being Hindu, “being Indian, it is part of my culture and it’s good to educate myself, not just with Diwali.” She had a Henna design applied to her hand “just to enjoy the festival,” remarking, “Culture is meant to be shared so everyone can have a go at sharing it together.” The Shah family brought their children, six-year-old Aira and eight-year-old Eva, to the event, where both chose to get henna designs on their hands. Aira mentioned she was “enjoying the heap of people around,” and her sister Eva stated, “I like the dancing.” The Gautam family informed the BBC that they were attending the annual event for the first time. Paritosh Gautam remarked, “It’s very exciting… look at the vibe, look at the people and how they are enjoying themselves.” His wife, Ashu, added, “It’s very nice actually. With the help of these events our children get to learn more about Diwali and about our culture.”