Diwali festival welcomes thousands to Halifax celebration

Thousands of people attended the Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia’s seventh annual Diwali Carnival over the weekend.

Diwali is a biggest festival in India. Celebrated in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism, the “festival of lights” has become a big event in Halifax too.

“Diwali is all about celebration, families, food and in a good way” says Nikunj Kumar Kachhadyia, the director of the Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia. The group hosted their seventh annual Diwali in Nova Scotia this weekend. Celebrations commenced Saturday morning and wrapped up Sunday evening.

“We have cultural vendors like food, henna, art, crafts, jewelry,” says Kachhadyia.

The club marks its 10th anniversary this year so Kachhadyia says this event is a special milestone for her team. She says year over year the turnout improves. When people smell the food and see the vendors, she said they are surprised by what’s available.

“We have a vendor here that sells jewelry and when people walk in, they think ‘oh, I can get these things in Halifax’ and that’s what excited them the most.”

Festivalgoers had opportunities to try authentic Indian foods and listen to music while they shopped at more than eight different venues.

“We have about 25 groups of performances happening today,” says Kachhadyia. “Those are ranging from like three years old all the way until teenagers and adults,”

Diwali starts Monday, but Kachhadyia says every year they celebrate the festival the weekend before or after.

“We had a couple thousand yesterday and that’s because there are other celebrations happening at the temple and other places as well,” she says. “As long as people are here, we are here.”

She says the team at the Indian Festivals Club of Nova Scotia welcomes the community to attend any of the events they host throughout the year.

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