Hindu Society prepares for 15th Diwali function at Maidenhead School

More than 100 guests are expected to visit a Maidenhead school for Diwali celebrations this weekend.

The festival of lights, a key date in the Hindu, Sikh and Jain calendars that falls between November 12 and 13 this year, is observed for different regional reasons but symbolises the victory of good over evil.

Maidenhead Hindu Society is once again inviting residents to its 15th annual Diwali function at St Piran’s School on Sunday, November 5.

Society president, Mohan Malhotra said: “Besides anything, this is like our Christmas, so it’s very important.”

He said the organisation typically hosts Diwali events over two days, one religious and another ‘social’ party, however due to logistical issues in the committee, the latter celebration was not organised this year.

The Diwali programme, which starts at 10am and will finish after midday, will take place at the Tippet Hall.

Attendees will first participate in prayers including the Gayatri Mantra and a Ganeshji Prayer, followed by Bhajan and Kirtan.

Then an hour of high-energy performances by the children will kick off at 11am, including singing, Bollywood dances and a theatrical ‘Ram Leela’ or re-enactment of Lord Rama’s life (a central deity in Diwali celebrations).

Mohan also teased a finale featuring a Dandiya performance (dance) by the elderly members of the society.

A raffle will take place at midday, followed by an Aarti (ceremony of blessings).

Traditional pure vegetarian Indian food will then be cooked up for those in attendance in a ‘Preeti Bhoj’.

Mohan said it is ‘lovely’ to see many generations attend the children’s performances yearly and the atmosphere of the event is one that couldn’t be described but had to be experienced in person.