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Light and color on display during London's Diwali event

    Thousands of people attended a free celebration of light and color in central London ahead of Diwali.

    Hundreds of dancers wearing multi-coloured saris performed at the Diwali on the Square event in Trafalgar Square, while music, comedy shows, yoga and sari and turban tying workshops also entertained the crowd.

    Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is an important festival 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.

    Female performers in black and orange clothing clap and chat in Trafalgar SquareFemale performers in black and orange clothing clap and chat in Trafalgar Square

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the event “brings together Londoners and visitors from all backgrounds” [PA Media]

    For some Hindus, Diwali marks the beginning of the new year and marks the return of the gods Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.

    The festival is known as Bandi Chhor Divas for Sikhs and celebrates the release of the sixth Guru Hargobind Sahib from prison in 1619.

    For Jains, it is about the moment when the founder of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, attained a state known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.

    A white, gold and pink inflatable statue of the Hindu god Ganesh, with an elephant's head and four armsA white, gold and pink inflatable statue of the Hindu god Ganesh, with an elephant's head and four arms

    There were many deities represented at the event, including this version of Ganesh [BBC]

    A woman in a pink and white sari looks at the sky as she dances at the eventA woman in a pink and white sari looks at the sky as she dances at the event

    Diwali – also known as the Festival of Light – falls on October 31 this year [PA Media]

    The Trafalgar Square event is organized by the Diwali in London Committee and the Mayor of London, and is held every year.

    Volunteer Harj Sethi, from Diwali in London, spent the day running a stall where people could learn how to tie turbans.

    “For years we had the sari booth and they were tying saris and the boys were just standing there thinking, 'what do we do?' and we said, well, you know what, we're going to tie turbans,” he said.

    “Different styles have different skills, different folds and different types of materials.”

    He encouraged people at the event to try one out, saying the concept of a turban was “universal”.

    “Kings in Africa… wear them, the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth – she had worn a turban, the Sikhs – we wear turbans, people in the Middle East.”

    Dancers hold up their multi-colored saris in a line during the celebration of Diwali on the SquareDancers hold up their multi-colored saris in a line during the celebration of Diwali on the Square

    There were many different dance styles on display during Diwali on the Square [PA Media]

    A man with a red turban and yellow garland wearing a comical costume of an elephant, making it look like he is sitting on itA man with a red turban and yellow garland wearing a comical costume of an elephant, making it look like he is sitting on it

    Among the comic performers was a man in a red turban who appeared to be sitting astride an elephant [BBC]

    People of all ages attended the celebrations.

    Romilly, 17, said that although she is not Hindu, “being Indian is part of my culture and it is good to educate myself, not just on Diwali”.

    She got a Henna design on her hand “just to enjoy the festival”, adding: “Culture is meant to be shared so everyone can share it together.”

    The Shah family brought their children to the event and both Aira, six, and Eva, eight, decided to get henna designs on their hands.

    Aira said she “enjoyed the crowd of people around her”, while her sister Eva said: “I love dancing”.

    Romilly, a young girl with long dark hair and brown eyes, stood in front of the crowdRomilly, a young girl with long dark hair and brown eyes, stood in front of the crowd

    Romilly said she enjoyed learning more about Hindu culture in Trafalgar Square [BBC]

    The Shah family, with Aira and Eva in the front of the photo and their parents and loved ones in the backgroundThe Shah family, with Aira and Eva in the front of the photo and their parents and loved ones in the background

    Aira and Eva Shah said they enjoyed their day out in central London [BBC]

    The Gautam family told the BBC that it was the first time they attended the annual event.

    Paritosh Gautam said, “It's very exciting… look at the atmosphere, look at the people and how they are having a good time.”

    His wife Ashu added, “It's actually a lot of fun. With the help of these events, our children learn more about Diwali and about our culture.”

    Ashu and Paritosh Gautam with their son Achintya, standing in front of the crowd in Trafalgar Square, with the tower of St Martin-in-the-Fields visible in the backgroundAshu and Paritosh Gautam with their son Achintya, standing in front of the crowd in Trafalgar Square, with the tower of St Martin-in-the-Fields visible in the background

    Achintya, eight, said he would “recommend” the event. [BBC]

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