Dating back to ancient times in India, Diwali is one of the largest and brightest festivals in India that spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.
For the third year, Upasana Dhawan and Monica Maharaj partnered up to organize Chestermere Diwali Festival, this year held at Camp Chestermere on Sunday November 15th. The evening was filled with music and laughter celebrating the Indian Festival of Lights. Delicious food, crafts, Tambola, dance performance, fireworks and door prizes were just a few of the wonderful things that contributed to this special event.
“We had a wonderful turnout last night, almost 200 people attended the event. We had great food catered by Tandorri king”, said Dhawan.
Although this celebration was just one evening here in Chestermere, Diwali is a five-day festival in many regions of India, with Diwali night centering on the new moon – the darkest night – at the end of the Hindu lunar month of Ashvin and the start of the month of Kartika. In the Common Era calendar, Diwali typically falls towards the end of October, or first half of November each year.
In Canada, Diwali is not a nationwide public holiday but it is a large festival celebrated in many towns and cities with some Indian businesses closing up shop early on Diwali. Many women wear fine jewelry and silk outfits to celebrate Diwali while some women and girls use mehendi, which is a temporary henna decoration, on their palms.
Many homes that celebrate Diwali have assorted sweets, savories and Diwali herbs. Various lights, candles and sparklers are lit inside and outside homes, particularly in courtyards, on Diwali.
Dhawan added, “We would like to thank all our generous sponsors Chestermere Smiles Dental, Chestermere Bottle Depot, Divine Salon and Spa, Dr Tuneup, The North Tap house, Refresh Esthetics, Nav’s Couture, Coast to Coast Mortgages A1 Spice, JK Apparel, Avleen Skin Car and The Waiting Room Cafe. Also special thanks to our volunteers for their support for the Diwali event last night”.
