Preparations for Diwali 2024 are well under way before the annual celebration this week.
Over October and November, skies across the UK are filled with fireworks as festivities take place. The five-day festival of light is a celebration of the triumph of good over evil and is marked by millions of people around the world.
The main day this year falls on Friday November 1 but some celebrations – including a large London one, Diwali on the Square – took place last Sunday at Trafalgar Square, where a festival of lights was held from 1pm to 7pm.
At the festival, hundreds of Indian dancers in rainbow saris performed. There were also comedy acts, yoga, music and workshops on turban and sari tying. The free, family-friendly event featured plenty of food stalls and arts and crafts activities.
Every year, the mayor of London and the Diwali in London Committee organise the Trafalgar Square festival.
Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square
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Diwali celebrations in Trafalgar Square
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Henna application during Diwali celebrations
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Find out everything you need to know about why and how Diwali is celebrated.
When is Diwali celebrated this year?
The festival takes place between October and November, though the date changes every year. This year, Diwali is taking place on Friday November 1.
The dates are determined by the position of the new moon. It is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar month Kartika.
Who celebrates Diwali and why do people celebrate it?
Originating in India, Diwali is celebrated across the world by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains but for different reasons.
The Hindus celebrate the return of Lord Rama – an avatar of the Hindu supreme god Lord Vishnu – with his wife and brother to the kingdom of Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years.
The streets and towns are lit up with diwas (candles) to welcome them home.
Diwali is celebtraed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains
Victoria Jones/PA
In South India, Diwali is the day on which demon Narakasura was defeated by Sri Krishna and Satyabhama.
To others, Diwali is dedicated to the Goddess Lakshmi, who is believed to bring wealth and prosperity.
In many households, the celebrations include a puja (worship) of the goddess to pray for health and happiness.
Sikhs, meanwhile, celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind Singh, in the early 1600s.
The Jains celebrate Diwali in recognition of Lord Mahavira, the last Jain Tirthankaras, achieving nirvana.
Diwali celebrations in UK cities have become probably the largest outside India, according to the British Sikh Association. It said: “Diwali at Trafalgar Square is attended by thousands of people, including tourists visiting the capital who are mesmerised to see the colourful pageant of music, dance and food.”
What do people do to celebrate?
Diwali is “probably best experienced in India”, though celebrations are seen widely across the globe, according to the Hindu Council UK.
A crowd celebrates Diwali
A spokesperson for the organisation said: “In London in particular, Diwali has become a mega-event to celebrate the culture and traditions of India. From live music to dance shows and much more. London really goes for it.
“It’s a family-friendly event with lots of activities going on, including music and dance performances, workshops and some kids activities. And there’s a huge array of Indian food to sample from all the food stalls and a massive firework display to end the festival.
“In India, houses are cleaned, often renovated, and always illuminated with sparkling fairy lights and oil lamps. Most doorways and foyers are decorated with beautiful designs on the floor, called rangolis.
“Children wait at the sweet shops to buy sweets, excited youngsters light up the skies with their repertoire of carefully sourced firecrackers and shout ‘Happy Diwali’ to the unsuspecting passers-by.”
Gifts of clothes and sweets are also exchanged between people, and markets and stalls start selling items months before the festival begins.
