Celebrating Diwali

What is Diwali and why is it celebrated?

Diwali, the festival of lights, marks the time when millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world celebrate the triumph of good over evil with beautiful rituals such as festive lights, fireworks, sweet delicacies and family gatherings.

Part of the communities celebration is sharing food

South Asian sweets and desserts are called mithai and are a staple part of Diwali celebrations. Many of the treats are fried foods made from sugar, chickpea flour and condensed milk. They vary between regions but common ones include balushahi, which are a bit like doughnuts, laddoos and barfis.

Why is Diwali important?

Observed by more than a billion people across faiths, this five-day festival of lights brings prayer, feasts, fireworks and, for some, a new year. Diwali is India’s most important festival of the year—a time to celebrate the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Celebrating locally

Newham has a large South Asian community and in Plaistow South we are celebrating Diwali by working in partnership with New City Primary school with a Free ‘Diwali: Festival of Light’ Community Event.