Festival of Lights: Scots join millions worldwide in celebration of Diwali

Scots will join millions worldwide in celebrating the Festival of Lights in Edinburgh.

Diwali will return to Scotland’s capital with a colourful parade full of musicians, dancers and a heady mix of Scottish and Indian music and entertainment.

The Indian festival, on October 24, will be commemorated slightly later by a parade in Edinburgh next month, free and open to all.

It will start at St Andrew Square, travelling along George Street to Castle Street, where the celebrations will then move to the Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens.

Edinburgh Diwali 2021 saw a colourful mix of traditional Indian and Scottish performances. Robin Mair

A time for feasts, prayers and family, Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India.

It is known as the festival of lights, with people illuminating oil lamps or candles to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

People clean, renovate and decorate in preparation, illuminating their homes with oil lamps and drawing rangolis – traditional designs made using colourful powders – to welcome good luck and prosperity into their lives.

People illuminate their homes with oil lamps or candles to welcome good luck and prosperity into their lives. iStock

It is widely associated with Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity and Ganesh, god of wisdom and the remover of obstacles.

In Edinburgh, celebrations will begin at 1.30pm on November 6 with the parade and close with a stunning firework display at 6.15pm.

The festival is celebrated by more than a billion people worldwide. Scottish Indians

With a rich mix of southeast Asian and Scottish culture, music and performances, it will present a wonderful opportunity for all of Edinburgh’s residents to immerse themselves in the colourful, inclusive and interactive celebration.