Thousands of people attended a free celebration of light and color in central London ahead of Diwali.
Hundreds of dancers wearing multi-colored saris performed at the Diwali on the Square event in Trafalgar Square, while music, comedy shows, yoga and sari and turban making workshops also took place. entertained the crowd.
Diwali, the festival of light, is an important celebration for Hindus and Jains, with Sikhs also celebrating Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day.
The festival, which symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, falls on October 31 this year.
For some Hindus, Diwali marks the start of the new year and symbolizes the return of the deities Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.
The festival is known as Bandi Chhor Divas to Sikhs, celebrating the release from prison of the sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib in 1619.
For Jains, it is the time when the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, achieved a state known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.
The Trafalgar Square event is organized each year by the Diwali Committee in London and the Mayor of London.
Volunteer Harj Sethi, from Diwali in London, spent the day running a stall where people could learn how to tie turbans.
“For many years we had the sari stall and they were tying saris and the guys were standing there thinking, ‘What are we doing? “And we said, you know what, we’re going to start tying turbans,” he said.
“Different styles have different skills, different folds, and different types of materials.”
He encouraged event attendees to try one, saying the concept of the turban was “universal.”
“The kings of Africa… wear them, Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth – she wore a turban, the Sikhs – we wear turbans, the people of the Middle East.”
People of all ages attended the celebrations.
Romilly, 17, said that although she is not Hindu, “being Indian, it’s part of my culture and it’s good to educate myself, not just with Diwali.”
She received a henna design “just to enjoy the festival”, adding: “Culture is meant to be shared so everyone can try to share it together.”
The Shah family brought their children to the event and six-year-old Aira and eight-year-old Eva decided to get some henna designs.
Aira said she was “enjoying the bunch of people around”, while her sister Eva said: “I like dancing”.
The Gautam family told the BBC it was their first time attending the annual event.
Paritosh Gautam said, “It’s very exciting… look at the atmosphere, look at the people and how they are having fun.”
His wife, Ashu, added, “It’s very nice actually. Through these events, our children learn more about Diwali and our culture.”
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