DIWALI - THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT EXPLODES WITH FIREWORKS

The Hindu festival of lights explodes into life with a riot of colour and noise. A variety show and a fireworks display kick start Diwali celebrations everywhere. The festivals like Diwali remind us of the brilliant display of colourful fireworks which explode in the dark nights.

This festival of fun, frolic and fireworks begin on 17^th October this year, and with it brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people even before it arrives on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the Kartik month of the Hindu calendar. Diwali is also the festival of Laxmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, so all the more reason to dig deep and put on a firework display of your own to go off with a BANG!!!!!!!

As always there are several larger public events to go to and enjoy the start of Diwali and Leicester’s is among the best. This year Diwali Lights Switch On ceremony is on Sunday 4th October. The Diwali lights on Belgrave Road will be switched on after the entertainment, which includes a fantastic firework and laser show. The ceremony will be attended by The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Leicester.

Diwali Day takes place on Saturday 17th October.

Around 10,000 people are expected to attend Leicester's Diwali Day celebrations.

Vibrant colours, music, dancing and food will be on show along Belgrave Road which is decorated with more than 6,500 lights.
Then the celebrations will move to the Cossington Street Recreation Ground, where a huge fireworks display and party will take place.

Maganbhai Patel OBE, president of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council said: "When we first started Diwali celebrations in Leicester 22 years ago it was only a small event, This year I think we'll get more than 10,000 people and we're going to put on a huge firework show – it's going to be the biggest and most impressive ever."

I think you will all agree when I say that Diwali is incomplete without fireworks. Old and young alike we all have to admit we love the excitement and sparkle of fireworks. So with Diwali approaching fast and the festival of light starting with a canvas of colour in our skies…this year’s celebrations should be sheer DYNAMITE!!!!!!!!!

And with next years Diwali going head to head with bonfire night (both on Nov 5^th 2010) who will be crowned victorious in the battle in the skies? Or will both celebrations triumph and combine festivities to uncover 2010 as the brightest year yet?