Happy Diwali

Today, Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world begin celebrating Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Diwali is probably my favourite non-Christian festival: it's such an uplifting and positive idea, symbolising the victory of good over evil and given it's timing as the nights close in towards Winter.

Anyone who's visited Tooting at this time of year will see the festive lights along Upper Tooting Road - the main shopping centre: up to celebrate Diwali, not the council being a little too eager to start Christmas celebrations!

In some parts of the Hindu faith, Diwali symbolises the start of the New Year but it also commemorates the homecoming of King Rama of Ayodhya, after a 14-year exile whose people welcomed him back by lighting up rows of lamps - called deepa-wali - which is where the name of the festival originates. There are also other myths and legends as to the origin of the ceremony: in Jainism it marks the nirvana of Lord Mahavira, for example.

Diwali is celebrated for five consecutive days at the end of Hindu month of Ashwayuja (amanta). Like Easter, it doesn't have a fixed date: next year it's in late October.

I wish everyone celebrating this festival my best wishes at this time for them and their faith.