Leicester’s Diwali festivities are among the largest outside India, offering a vibrant celebration of culture and tradition. Whether it is dazzling fireworks, lively performances, delicious food, or colourful fashion, there is something for everyone.
Leicester City Council said that despite “exceptionally difficult financial circumstances” which necessitated changes this year, the city is twinkling with thousands of decorative lights and a major event on Diwali Day – October 31.
With the support of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, the city’s famous Golden Mile has been lit up for the festive season, leading up to the grand celebrations on Diwali Day made up of an array of street artists and performers.
The Diwali Village takes place at Cossington Street Recreation Ground, featuring food stalls, funfair rides, main stage and fire garden display and Leicester’s famous Wheel of Light is located on Belgrave Road until November 2.
Leicester City Council said: “Celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists, Diwali is important to all our communities.
“We are exceptionally proud of our Diwali celebrations and we want Diwali to continue to thrive as part of Leicester’s annual events calendar.”
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Festival of Lights
At Diwali, worshippers seek the blessings of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, and Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
Each day leading up to Diwali has a different meaning and these also vary between regions and communities across India. For Hindus, the first day is dedicated to the worship of the Goddess Lakshmi associated with prosperity. The second day is about abolishing evil, when Goddess Kali is worshipped. This is followed by Diwali day, when diyas and candles are lit up in temples and houses, and fireworks are let off, giving Diwali its name of Festival of Lights. People also clean and decorate their homes with Rangoli, buy new clothes, and give each other gifts and sweets.
While the fourth day marks the start of the New Year (Nutan Varsh) and businesses traditionally open new accounts, the fifth day of Bhai Dooj celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.
For Jains, Diwali marks the anniversary of the attainment of Moksha, the final liberation of the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth, by Lord Mahavir. On this day, Jains celebrate this permanent happiness of the soul and remember Lord Mahavir’s last sermon, which was given on Diwali Day, before his soul left his body and was liberated.
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Bandi Chhor
For Sikhs, Diwali marks the release of the sixth guru, Guru Hargobind Ji, and 52 Hindu Rajas (kings) from imprisonment. Guru Hargobind Ji was held for 40 days at the Gwalior Fortress along with the Rajas, who had been deprived of their kingdoms and were badly treated. When the time came for the Guru’s release, he refused to leave unless the Rajas were also set free. The condition imposed on him was that only those Rajas that could hold onto the Guru’s robe would be set free. Guru Hargobind Ji had a special robe made with 52 khalia (tapers) so that each of the Rajas could walk free with him. He was then bestowed the name Bandhi Chhor – the deliverer of prisoners.
*Info: Leicester Diwali
