In temples and homes, millions of people are preparing to celebrate Diwali, a very important festival in the Indian world. Music, prayer, and sharing will be on the agenda for millions of followers.
In London, the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, one of the largest Hindu temples outside India, is organizing days of prayer and preparation.
At nightfall, devotees gather for the evening Arati, one of the last daily prayers before the start of the festival, which this year is scheduled for October 20.
“It is important to appreciate what God has given us, whether it’s our family, our friends, a healthy body, a healthy life. All of this is an integral part of the Diwali festival. And to ensure we fully enjoy the food, we thank God for everything He has given us,” explains a volunteer at the temple.
Behind the prayer hall, volunteers work late into the night to prepare for the arrival of the crowds expected in the coming days.
They are assembling 70,000 boxes of prasadam, food that is first offered to the deities during worship and then shared among the devotees as a blessing. These preparations are part of Annakut, which means “mountain of food” and marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year.
This year, volunteers are also creating vases decorated with colorful lotus seeds and grains, as well as models representing the bridges of Paris, referencing the opening of a similar temple in the French capital in 2026.
“Diwali is a time of togetherness and joy, and of course of light, as that is the main meaning of Diwali. And in the temple, we celebrate it with joy and love, which I appreciate and love very much,” shares a volunteer at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.
A very popular festival in India, Diwali is celebrated for five days. The third day, the most important one, is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi. As preparations continue in London, similar scenes are taking place in Hindu, Sikh, and Jain temples and homes around the world.
