Diwali Day

When I shared the story of the Lights Switch-on in Leicester, I mentioned a Diwali celebration later on in the month. I wanted to follow up and share more about that celebration!

Where the Switch-on took place on the weekend, Diwali Day was on a Monday (24 October) so I headed over to check it out with a group of colleagues after work. As you may recall from my original post, Diwali is traditionally spread over 5 days. The 24th marked the third day of celebrations this year, which is often thought of as the most important day of the extended celebrations.

Both the Switch-on and Diwali Day were held in part of Leicester known as the Golden Mile, an area rich with history. It refers to a section of what's now known as Belgrave Road, which roughly traces the path of an ancient Roman road. The neighborhood has evolved from heavily industrial to a haven of small business, now hosting many Indian restaurants, jewelry shops and the like. For Diwali, the road is shut down and filled with visitors celebrating the holiday.

We walked along the Golden Mile and selected a restaurant where we enjoyed dinner together, sampling and sharing Indian cuisine. I enjoyed a rich mango lassi alongside Tarka Daal, a warming lentil dish, perfect for a chilly evening. Among the group, we also tried a few different curries, samosa, dhosa, and pani puri.

Once we finished our meal, we headed out to enjoy the lights along the Golden Mile. The quick descent of darkness reminded us we were already in the middle of autumn, heading quickly toward winter. Fireworks commenced shortly after, and we enjoyed the show among a crowd of spectators in the street.

By the time I post this, Diwali is likely several weeks past. Nonetheless, I'd like to share some positive wishes with you all: I hope this Diwali may light up new dreams, fresh hopes, undiscovered avenues, different perspectives, everything bright and beautiful, and fill your days with pleasant surprises and moments.