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Celebrations for Diwali have kicked off in Edinburgh, marking ten years of vibrant fesitivities in the capital. Diwali, which falls on Monday, will be commemorated in the city on November 2 with a parade, traditional dance performances and a dazzling fireworks display. As this year marks a decade of Diwali festivities in the city, the Indian community is excited for many more years of celebration to come. President of Edinburgh Diwali, Rajnish Singh, said the special milestone “embodies our journey of bringing communities together through light, culture, and joy – Uniting Communities, Celebrating Diversity.” “From a humble beginning in 2015, the Festival of Light (Diwali) has grown into one of Edinburgh’s most cherished community-led celebrations, thanks to the dedication of our committee members, the incredible talent of our performers, the unwavering support of our volunteers, and the enthusiasm of thousands of friends and audiences who have joined us over the years,” he added. Mr Siddharth Malik, consul general of India, Edinburgh, said: “People are staying several thousand kilometres away from their hometown, but to continue the traditions here is very important. “We are going to have a culture fusion, which really is important because it leads to culture and understanding. Scottish people get to know more about Indian culture, Indian tradition dance forms, and Indian people get to know more about Scottish culture as well.” A time for feasts, prayers and family, Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India. It is known as the festival of lights, with people illuminating oil lamps or candles to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. People clean, renovate and decorate in preparation, illuminating their homes and drawing rangolis – traditional designs made using colourful powders – to welcome good luck and prosperity into their lives. It is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and Ganesh, god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles. Edinburgh Diwali’s tenth anniversary celebration will take place between 1pm and 7pm on November 2. The event is free to attend and open to all, encouraging people from across Edinburgh and the surrounding area to participate in the festival of light.
