(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

15,000 years of tradition

Diwali celebrations return to Red Deer Nov. 9

Nov 4, 2024 | 12:40 PM

The largest celebration of the year is coming up for the Hindu Cultural Society of Central Alberta.

Their annual Diwali event goes Saturday. Nov. 9, from 5-10 p.m. at Festival Hall.

The family-friendly event comes a few days after the actual observance of Diwali, which began Oct. 31 this year.

“These days of Diwali are extremely important in the Hindu Faith, Jain faith, Buddhist faith and Sikh faith, all religions originating from India,” says Dharmesh Goradia, society president Dharmesh Goradia.

“In each of these Indic traditions, we find that Diwali holds some sort of significance and a reason for celebration, often a representation of hope and the victory of goodness.”

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Diwali, or Deepavali, and commonly referred to as the festival of lights, traditionally runs for five days.

Goradia explains that when a diya, or a lamp, is lit during Diwali, it is seen as living the traditions of 15,000 years of heritage.

And to do so means, “you are truly, truly, truly blessed that you are celebrating Diwali.”

The Nov. 9 festivities will include food, dance, music and an excellent opportunity to learn about a different culture.

In recent times, Goradia adds, the society has purchased land in hopes of soon building a cultural centre and Hindu temple.

Tickets are available by texting or calling Abhay at 403-848-3434, or Dharmesh at 403-597-4842, or by visiting reddeerhindusociety.com.