What an evening this was!  I had spoken at an event with the Oxford Hindu Temple and and Community Centre Project before so I was delighted to invited to the Diwali celebration dinner and Dance at the Rover Sports and Social Club.

I was welcomed again by Dr Gopal and his wife as well as by the wonderful Chinta Kallie and was pleased to be able to take Gordon, my partner, along too.

There was a great band and some amazing music and dancing.  We had a delicious three course meal and I know that many of the OHTCCP committee and members had been at the venue since 10am that day.  It all looked amazing and the food was delicious.  I got to help open the event by lighting a Diwali lamp and gave a short speech after the vote of thanks.

Divali, the festival of lights, I understand, is one of the most important festivals of the Hindu religious year so I was glad to see everyone having a fantastic evening and hope all enjoy a really great festival, in the coming days and weeks, culminating on 3rd November. The five day festival of Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. And the row of lamps – the Diwali – is lit to help Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, find her way into people’s homes. I hope that the homes and lives of all those present are prosperous so that OHTCCP can realise its dream of having a Hindu Temple in Oxford soon!

It’s lovely to see that In Britain, Hindus celebrate Diwali with great enthusiasm.  Diwali is becoming well known in Britain with many non-Indians joining in – I was indeed very pleased to be at the event with Gordon doing just that!