Diwali 2019 celebrations kick off tonight as millions across the world celebrate the festival of light

Diwali is a festival celebrated by many religions such as Hinduism and Sikhism. The festival also known as festival of light celebrates the victory of good over evil.

Diwali is celebrated by honouring both God Ram and Goddess Sita for their return from exile and Ram’s defeat of Ravan.

People celebrating the festival visit each other’s homes, wear new clothes and light oil lamps known as “diyas”.

In recent decades people have started to use elaborate fireworks display to celebrate the festival which has become controversial due to air and noise pollution it causes.

With hundreds of millions of people celebrating the festival in India, the country suffers from a thick smog due to the fireworks for days after the festival.

In the UK, there has been complaints of noise pollution due pets such as dogs fearing fireworks and the display going into late night hours.

I spoke with Lakshmi Narayan at Gillingham Hindu Temple about the issue of fireworks and pollution and this what he had to say.

There have previously been bans on sale of fireworks in some cities in India and the purchase of fireworks have been discouraged by celebrities and environmental activists in the run up to the festival.

There are suggestions that people should go for ‘green firworks‘ or simple celebration of Diwali such as lighting an oil lamp and visiting neighbours and friends homes.

Here in Kent there many events celebrating the festival, which do not use fireworks that would cause significant pollution such as the University of Kent Diwali Ball, which University of Kent students can go to.

The Ball organised by the Hindu society is one of the biggest events of the University as nearly 500 people have attended previous Diwali ball according to the society president Kavi Bhatt.

The students can buy the tickets from the society Facebook page or alternatively from Kent Union Hubs.

Diwali is a five-day celebration with Sunday 27 October being the third and most important day, so expect lots of light and colour at the celebrations.