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Thousands to celebrate Diwali across North West

Lynette HorsburghNorth West
Liverpool Ganesh Temple People gather outdoors during a Diwali celebration at night outside Liverpool Ganesh Temple and are surrounded by thick smoke from fireworks. Children and adults hold sparklers and fireworks while orange flames and bright lights illuminate the scene. Haze fills the air, creating a dramatic glow against the dark background, as attendees watch, take photos and participate in the festivities.Liverpool Ganesh Temple
Liverpool Ganesh Temple's Diwali celebrations culminate with fireworks

Thousands of people are preparing to enjoy food, music and fireworks as Hindus across north-west England are set to celebrate Diwali.

About 600 are expected for the festival at the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston, Lancashire, on Sunday, which opens with prayers and features a fireworks display finale.

Ishwer Tailor, vice president of the temple, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, said it had been planning the events for a month.

He said Diwali was a "fun" celebration where people come together at the temple throughout the day with the "spectacle" of the shrine decorated with lamps "and plenty of sweets for everyone".

A large crowd of people sit on the carpet inside a temple which is decorated with colourful flags which are hung from the ceiling. The ceiling is painted with Hindu gods.
The celebrations at the Gujarat Hindu Society in Preston start with morning prayers

Diwali, or the Festival of Lights, is a five-day Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.

It takes its name because houses, shops and public places are decorated with small oil lamps called diyas.

Shree Swaminarayan Mandir in Oldham, Greater Manchester, said up to 400 people will be taking part in their celebrations on Sunday evening.

Vinod Vekaria, secretary and trustee of the temple, said young devotees have been enjoying decorating the temple.

Meanwhile, volunteers are busy preparing between 200 and 300 dishes for the celebrations.

There will be special prayers with Diwali workshops for children from 17:00 GMT where they will be making cards, candles and sweets before finishing the festivities with fireworks.

Close-up of Ishwer Tailor wearing a blue Nehru-style jacket stands indoors in front of Diwali decorations. The background includes a colourful "Happy Diwali" banner, floral garlands, wall-mounted fixtures and seated attendees. He is smiling.
Ishwer Tailor, vice president of the Gujarat Hindu Society, said Diwali is an exciting and fun celebration

The Hindu Cultural Organisation at the Shree Radha Krishna Temple in Liverpool is staging celebrations from 16:00 GMT.

Dozens of people are expected at the temple on Edge Lane.

The attractions include Laxmi Pooja, cultural performances, food and fireworks, subject to weather conditions.

Chairman Divyesh Patel said: "Diwali is a very important occasion for our community and provides an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate light, hope, unity and the triumph of good over adversity."

Liverpool Ganesh Temple Two men dressed in traditional Indian dress with white stripes painted on their arms hold plates of flowers as part of a Hindu pooja ceremony. Liverpool Ganesh Temple
The community will be making offerings of food and flowers

Meanwhile, Liverpool Ganesh Temple in Kirkby is set to welcome up to 200 people on Sunday.

Vijayarani Sureshkumar, one of the temple's leaders, said it will be a day of "new clothes, lots of sweets and meeting family and friends".

It will also feature special prayers with the temple serving food for devotees all day and end with fireworks.

Liverpool Ganesh Temple A colourful shrine inside Liverpool Ganesh Temple, decorated with vibrant floral garlands and a rainbow-shaped floral backdrop. In the foreground, tables are filled with offerings including fruit, sweets, dates, watermelon slices and traditional snacks. Temple carvings and religious displays surround the altar, while worshippers stand nearby during a festive celebration.Liverpool Ganesh Temple
Liverpool Ganesh Temple said it will be providing food all day

Elsewhere, the Lord Rama Krishna Temple in Warrington, Cheshire, is gearing up for up to 100 families from Warrington, St Helens and parts of Greater Manchester to join their celebrations from 11:00 GMT on Sunday.

It will feature a range of attractions including food, music and children's performances.

Noneet Sood, secretary of the temple, said: "Diwali is a very auspicious time for community and giving."

Details of other Diwali celebrations can be emailed to northwestonline@bbc.co.uk.

Read more stories from Cheshire, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X.

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