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Light and colour on show at London Diwali event

PA Media Dancers hold out their blue, pink and orange Saris in a line during the Diwali on the Square celebrationPA Media
Hundreds of dancers opened the event, performing for large crowds of people

Thousands of people have attended a free celebration of light and colour in central London ahead of Diwali.

Hundreds of dancers wearing multicoloured saris performed at the Diwali on the Square event in Trafalgar Square, while music, comedy shows, yoga and sari and turban-tying workshops also entertained the crowds.

Diwali, the Festival of Light, is an important celebration for Hindus and Jains, with Sikhs also marking Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day.

The festival, which symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, falls on 31 October this year.

PA Media Women performers in black and orange clothing clap and chat in Trafalgar SquarePA Media
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said the event "brings together Londoners and visitors of all backgrounds"

For some Hindus, Diwali marks the beginning of the new year and is about the return of deities Rama and Sita after 14 years of exile.

The festival is known as Bandi Chhor Divas for Sikhs, celebrating the release of the sixth guru Hargobind Sahib from prison in 1619.

For Jains, it's about the moment Jainism founder Lord Mahavira reached a state of being known as Moksha, or eternal bliss.

A white, gold and pink inflatable statue of the Hindu God Ganesh, with an elephant head and four arms
Many deities were represented at the event, including this version of Ganesh
PA Media A woman in a pink and white sari looks to the sky while dancing during the eventPA Media
Diwali - also known as the Festival of Light - falls on 31 October this year

The Trafalgar Square event is organised by the Diwali in London Committee and the mayor of London, and is held every year.

Volunteer Harj Sethi, from Diwali in London, spent the day running a stall where people could learn how to tie turbans.

"For many years we had the sari stand and they were tying saris and the guys were just standing around thinking, 'what do we do?' and we said well you know what, we'll start tying turbans," he said.

"Different styles have different skills, different folds and different types of materials."

He encouraged people at the event to try one out, saying the concept of a turban was "universal".

"Kings in Africa... are wearing them, her late majesty Queen Elizabeth - she had worn a turban, the Sikhs - we wear turbans, people in the Middle East."

PA Media Dancers hold out their multicoloured Saris in a line during the Diwali on the Square celebrationPA Media
Many different styles of dancing were featured at Diwali on the Square
A man in a red turban and yellow garland wearing a comedy costume of an elephant, which makes him look like he is sitting on it
Among the comedy performers was a man in a red turban, who appeared to be sitting astride an elephant

People of all ages attended the celebrations.

Romilly, 17, said that while she is not Hindu, "being Indian, it is part of my culture and it's good to educate myself, not just with Diwali".

She got a Henna design on her hand "just to enjoy the festival", adding: "Culture is meant to be shared so everyone can have a go at sharing it together."

The Shah family brought their children along to the event and both Aira, six, and Eva, eight, decided to get henna designs on their hands.

Aira said she was "enjoying the heap of people around", while her sister Eva said: "I like the dancing".

Romilly, a young girl with long dark hair and brown eyes, stood in front of the crowds
Romilly said she was enjoying learning more about Hindu culture in Trafalgar Square
The Shah family, with Aira and Eva at the front of the picture and their parents and loved ones in the background
Aira and Eva Shah said they liked their day out in central London

The Gautam family told the BBC it was their first time attending the annual event.

Paritosh Gautam said: "It's very exciting... look at the vibe, look at the people and how they are enjoying themselves."

His wife, Ashu, added: "It's very nice actually. With the help of these events our children get to learn more about Diwali and about our culture."

Ashu and Paritosh Gautam with their son Achintya, standing in front of the crowds in Trafalgar Square, with the steeple of St Martin-in-the-Fields visible in the background
Achintya, eight, said he would "recommend" the event

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