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Leicester's Golden Mile lights up for Diwali celebrations | Leicester's Golden Mile lights up for Diwali celebrations |
(about 14 hours later) | |
More than 30,000 people have gathered along Leicester's Golden Mile for the city's annual Diwali celebrations. | More than 30,000 people have gathered along Leicester's Golden Mile for the city's annual Diwali celebrations. |
Crowds enjoyed traditional Indian music and dance along Belgrave Road to mark the festival of light. | |
Leicester's celebrations are said to be among the biggest outside India. | Leicester's celebrations are said to be among the biggest outside India. |
The crowds enjoyed food, music and dance before the celebrations ended with a display of 5,000 fireworks at Cossington Street Recreation Ground. | The crowds enjoyed food, music and dance before the celebrations ended with a display of 5,000 fireworks at Cossington Street Recreation Ground. |
Members of De Montfort University's Bollywood Dance Society performed as part of the celebrations, while some just watched the entertainment. | |
Diwali is one of the biggest festivals in the Indian calendar and is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Its name is taken from a Sanskrit word meaning row of lights. | |
It also marks the start of the Hindu New Year. | It also marks the start of the Hindu New Year. |
Dean of Leicester David Monteith said: "Light is a common symbol of all our religions and a big part of this festival is the triumph of light over darkness." | Dean of Leicester David Monteith said: "Light is a common symbol of all our religions and a big part of this festival is the triumph of light over darkness." |
Indian artist Janak Chauhan came to Leicester to create a rangoli art exhibition in the Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, which included creating patterns with coloured sand. | |
Deputy city mayor Rory Palmer said: "It has been a great atmosphere. It is something for Leicester to be proud of." | |
Leicester's festivities were the culmination of months of planning by a dedicated committee. | Leicester's festivities were the culmination of months of planning by a dedicated committee. |
Jashvant Chauhan, secretary of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, said: "All the items of entertainment appeal to everyone. | Jashvant Chauhan, secretary of the Leicester Hindu Festival Council, said: "All the items of entertainment appeal to everyone. |
"Young and old have all come together and showed their energy in their performances." | "Young and old have all come together and showed their energy in their performances." |
Celebrations also include the lighting of earthen lamps, bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets. | |
Thousands enjoy Diwali celebrations | |
Thousands enjoy Diwali celebrations |