Diwali in London

Diwali in London is enthusiastically celebrated by people of all nationalities and religions and not limited to Indians in London or Indian expats in London (also popularly known as NRIs in London). Across the capital from Wembley to Southall, Tooting and Forest Gate, participants flock to exchange presents with their friends and families. Homes are ritualistically cleaned and decorated and hundreds of lamps are lit. In essence, Diwali marks new beginnings and a renewal of commitment to family values and represents joy, love, reflection, resolution forgiveness, light and knowledge.

The common name of the festival is a corruption of the Sanskrit word Deepavali - Deepa meaning light and avali, which means row. It is said that the lights symbolise the rows of light that were lit along the streets upon Lord Rama's return to his home city of Ayodhya.

London Diwali is also marked with festivities with a late summer burst of colors which warm up the skies. Diwali, The Festival Of Lights in 2007 falls on 9 November 2007.

There are many Diwali events in London to mark the festivities. Please check www.bolobolo.co.uk for the listings of Diwali events in London in 2007 for specific information. If you wanted to know the coolest Diwali parties in London which have become an annual feature (sort of), check out this list:

Diwali in London - Diwali on the Square
The Mayor of London and the Diwali in London Group host Diwali celebrations in the heart of London at Trafalgar Square. With festivities, food and performance, floating candles in the fountains, lights and saris draping the square, this public space is transformed into a mini Mumbai for this important Hindu Festival of Light.

Diwali in London - at V&A Museum
The V&A celebrates Diwali in London with activities including a display of Rangoli floor art, Indian classical music, a sitar workshop for beginners, garland and Diya candle-holder making workshops, a Bollywood screening and storytelling.

Diwali in London – CRY party
CRY - Child Rights & You, an Indian charity for children hosts a popular Diwali party every year in London to celebrate Diwali and to raise funds. Popular with Indians in London to celebrate with family and friends, this event has a special place on the Diwali in London event calendar. You can dance away to some foot tapping Bollywood songs and enjoy a traditional Indian dinner apart from meeting some really cool like minded people.

Diwali in London - Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Neasden
Diwali is the ‘festival of lights’ and a fitting exhibition of this festival is provided by the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir with a grand fireworks display that lits the skies of North London with a thirty-minute performance. Countless spectators, including local residents and passers-by enjoy the light and beauty of Indian culture with a crescendo of sound and colour providing a fitting climax.

Diwali in London – Asha’s Diwali Dhamaka
Asha for Education, a charity focussed on child education and welfare, hosts a Diwali party to celeberate the festival of lights and to brighten the lives of underprivileged children in India. There’s an awesome evening of diyas, dance, Bollywood and bhangra beats, and delightful Indian food. This event is held usually in one of the pubs or public places in Central London with an ethnic dress code to match.

If you are organising a Diwali event or Diwali party, please let us know, you can either go to our Addevent page or send us an email at addevent@bolobolo.co.uk. We can help you reach out to like minded Indians in London or should we say Indian Londoners.

Bolobolo celebrates this spirit of Diwali, that’s so evident in London. We aspire to serve you as a single source of all Indian events, or events related to India in London. Meant for Indians in London, it can also be used by others with interest in Indian culture.