Diwali lights up the UK’s diversity

The famed “festival of lights” illuminated Britain’s vibrant diversity with the largest celebrations outside of India held across the country.

For the first time in over 40 years, the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain festival coincided with Bonfire Night, rivalling the infamous fire holiday with its own bright lights.

One week before the five day festival, Trafalgar Square filled with colourful music and dance for a five-hour revelry supported by the Mayor of London, and on Sunday 3 Nov, cities across Britain exploded with light.

Diwali, the name of which means “rows of lighted lamps” in Sanskrit, is the annual Hindu festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, honours the goddess of wealth Lakshmi, and welcomes in the new year.

Celebrators light oil lamps, burst firecrackers, clean the house, wear new clothes, and give sweets and gifts to loved ones.

Observed in India, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritus, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Nepal, Diwali is also celebrated widely in the UK, which is home to an estimated 1.5 million Hindus.

The largest concentration of Hindus is in Leicester, which hosts over 40,000 devotees, mainly from East Africa. On Sunday, Leicester boasted one of the largest Diwali parties outside of India, flooding the Golden Mile main street with glowing colours, art, and performances.

The runner-up is London, whose borough Neasden holds the largest temple in Europe. David Cameron and his wife Samantha, swathed in a red sari, visited Neasden Temple on Sunday to congratulate worshipers.

In a public video message, The Prime Minister honoured the values of Diwali that unify people of every faith. He said:

Their universal message of hope over despair, light over darkness and good over evil is something that we should all celebrate.”

The Prime Minister also praised Britain’s Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist communities for making an “enormous” contribution to the U.K. He said:

From hardworking families that are doing the right thing to entrepreneurs and businesses that are helping create prosperity; from excelling in science and public service to achieving in the arts and sport, your role in our nation is a shining example of how communities can integrate and succeed while retaining a strong and proud identity.”

In his own words, the PM can see the rich contributions and culture that immigrants bring within the borders of his country – perhaps made clearer in the light of Diwali.

OBV would like to wish everyone a very happy Diwali.

Mallory Moench