HINDUS in Bradford celebrated the official switch on of Deepawali lights at a special ceremony organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad.
The Yorkshire branch of the Hindu organisation gathered in Bradford at the Ukrainian Community Centre to mark the switch on, with around 230 people attending.
Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Gerry Barker and the Lady Mayoress Jean Barker were in attendance.
Children from Balagokulm of Bradford performed a dance to Shree Ram Bhajan.
In addition, a group of women performed a garba raas based on Gujarati folk dance.
Chairman of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Yorkshire, Ashwin Mistry said the Lord Mayor’s message was followed by Dr Suresh Tailor and an inspiring main speech by Ushniji Rabadia on the significance of the Deepawali festival.
Deepawali, or Diwali, is the five-day Hindu festival of lights which occurs in autumn every year to celebrates the return of Lord Rama to the Kingdom of Ayodhya.
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