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Happy Diwali, India’s festival of lights.
Pragna Pankhania, Project Co-ordinator at KTL shared with us what Diwali means to her and how she celebrates the festival with her family. “Diwali is a time to throw away unwanted items - clean, repaint and refurbish homes. The tradition behind it is that Goddess Lakshmi (the goddess of wealth) graces those homes that are absolutely clean. On the day, we decorate our homes with clay lamps, strings of lights, ribbons, and many other decorations. Using coloured powder or flower petals, colourful rangoli in traditional patterns are drawn at the doorways.”
Pragna also shared some facts about Diwali that many people may not know. “The month of Karthik marks the end of harvest season in India and farmers offer their harvest to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity. The English city of Leicester hosts the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of India, usually on Belgrave, Melton Road, commonly known as the “Golden Mile”. There is a stage erected on the main road and this is used for people to read or sing various religious mantras. Music is played the along the Golden Mile and the full stretch of road is lit with lamps and lights. A fireworks display is also held in the adjoining park.”
To all those celebrating, we wish you a fantastic festival of lights.
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