Hundreds gather for city's Diwali celebrations

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  1. The image shows a large group of women clapping and singing. They are all wearing brightly traditional Hindu clothing known as a sari. Most also have a red mark on their forehead, called a bindi.

    The temple brings together people of all ages and backgrounds, especially during festivals like Diwali and Hindu New Year

Hundreds of people have gathered at the Hindu Temple in Bristol to celebrate Diwali.

The temple in Redfield has been holding events all week to mark the holiday, known as the 'festival of light'.

During Diwali houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called 'diyas'.

More than 300 people are at the temple to celebrate Govardhan Puja, the final day of Diwali on Wednesday which also marks the Hindu New Year.

A Hindu priest prays to deities in the Main Sanctum of the Hindu Temple. He has his hands together above his head in prayer. He is draped in a yellow and red robes.Kamleshbhai Vyas

The festival of light follows the Hindu lunar calendar, and it's exact dates shift slightly each year

The word Diwali means 'rows of lighted lamps'. It is celebrated by Hindu people across the world.

Diwali always falls some time between October and November, but the exact date varies each year as the Hindu calendar is based on the Moon.

This year, Diwali started on Saturday.

Ila Shrimanker, chair of The Hindu Temple, said: "The public has been really good. They make this food. The community comes together, this is the one day they know they'd like to offer to keep this food purely vegetarian... they're just absolutely delicious food."

Kamlesh Vyas, Temple Priest, said: "Nothing is going to get wasted. When families came here they brought a dish with them. Once we finish all the prayers and services, then all the food will go downstairs and on the table.

"Everyone will get a chance to sit down on the same table eating the same food. You don't know who you're sitting next to. It could be the CEO of a big company or somebody having a basic life.

"The world itself is a big family."

Meanwhile, residents with dementia at Wentworth Court nursing home in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire joined in the celebration with dancing and samples of traditional food.

Wentworth Court managing director, Mitesh Dhanak said: "In the true spirit of Diwali, we had a joyful afternoon with residents and colleagues coming together to celebrate the festival with happiness and laugher."

A man is wearing traditional Hindu clothing dancing with a woman who is wearing a red jumper. In the background is traditional food for the Diwali celebration.Wentworth Court

Celebrations also talk place at a nursing home in Cheltenham for people with dementia

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