Members of the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir celebrates the Hindu festival of Diwali community gathered on Dent Avenue in Granville on Monday to celebrate the Festival of Lights — also known as Diwali.
Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India — and for Hindus in particular.
This year, Diwali began Friday and the festival was officially observed on Sunday. It is celebrated across faiths by more than a billion people in the world’s most populous nations. Over five days, people take part in festive gatherings, fireworks displays, feasts and prayer.
The festival brings with it a number of traditions, which vary by the region. What all celebrations have in common are the lights, fireworks, feasting, new clothes and praying.
In southern India, Diwali celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna’s destruction of the demon Naraka who is said to have imprisoned women and tormented his subjects. In northern India, Diwali honors the triumphant return of Lord Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshmana, from a 14-year exile in the forest.
