Diwali celebrations begin at Gravesend's Gurdwara

Monday was the start of Diwali, the festival of lights, where five days of festivities honour the triumph of good over evil.  Meghan Shaw reports.

Transcript

00:00From fireworks to food to faith, festivities were in full swing last night at Gravesend

00:07Gurdwara, where Sikhs gathered to celebrate Bundicho Divas, or Prisoner Liberation Day.

00:14The day pays respect to the Sikhs Guru, who was imprisoned before eventually being released

00:19alongside 52 Hindu princes.

00:22Its celebration pays respect to the values of justice, freedom and compassion, central

00:27to the Sikh faith.

00:29For many Sikhs across Kent, the day is sacred.

00:32Well, I regularly come to Gurdwara, and all friends come together to celebrate this festival.

00:40It's very important for us.

00:41We are coming from 60 Mile, from Poxton.

00:44I think this is like the central Gurdwara for Kent.

00:49It's worth the travelling, and yes, they put on a massive community sort of atmosphere.

00:55Today, Sikhs are here in the Gravesend Gurdwara to celebrate Bundicho Divas.

01:00As you can see, it's quite busy here, and yeah, it's quite a special occasion for us.

01:06My cousin's sister here, she will be singing Shabbat for the special occasion.

01:11During the day, the temple hosted Kirtan, Sikh hymns, and Katha, Sikh scriptures and history,

01:32with quiet moments for reflection and prayer throughout the day.

01:37Lit candles are a homage to Sikhs lighting the way for the Sikhs guru to return home.

01:43And then, when the sun had set, a vibrant show of light.

01:49Bundicho Divas coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, though sometimes Sikhs

01:55and Hindus celebrate both.

01:58Community took centre stage yesterday.

02:00Throughout the day, people are coming and going, coming and going.

02:04And I think probably in the evening now, for the fireworks, we had around 5,000 people.

02:08We tried to make it a place where everybody is welcome.

02:12So people come, and not just for prayer, but we have other activities.

02:16So it's become a hub for the community at large.

02:19And today you will have seen, not just Sikhs, but people from all faiths actually joining

02:22in the celebrations.

02:24As the autumn gloom sets in, events like Bundicho Divas continue to be a light against the darkness.

02:31Megan Shaw, for Kane TV, in Gravesend.