1000 Diwali lanterns released into the night sky in bid for world peace
Sunday 18th October 2009

After what was a spectacular Diwali firework display on Sunday 18th October at Bhaktivedanta Manor near London, numerous community leaders and festival revelers released 1000 lanterns into the sky in a bid for world peace. 15,000 people attended the Diwali celebrations at the Temple. The central theme of Diwali is the victory of good over evil and light over darkness - from the ancient Indian epic "Ramayana", when Lord Rama returns in victory after slaying the demon Ravana.

After defeating the demon king Ravana, Lord Rama, with Lakshman, Sita, Hanuman and all the monkey warriors triumphantly returned to the city of Ayodhya so that Rama could claim the throne. When they returned it was the new moon night: pitch black. All the people, therefore, lit the way for the returning troops by hanging lamps, candles and fires along the route. In Ayodhya, they were greeted with millions of lights and fireworks. On this day, devotees remember how light will always triumph over darkness.

"Diwali" is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar, celebrated by 1 billion Hindus worldwide and 650,000 Hindus across the United Kingdom. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year, and on this day Hindus meditate on the significance of Diwali wherein light always triumphs over darkness and goodwill conquers evil. It is a festival marked by exchanging of gifts, distribution of sanctified Indian sweets, and new decorations for the home and new clothes for the family.

Bhaktivedanta Manor Hare Krishna temple, originally gifted to ISKCON by Beatle George Harrison is housed in 77 acres of land outside Watford and hosts the largest Hindu festivals in the UK. It has become one of the most important sites of pilgrimage for European and British Hindus, and hosts the only seminary for priests in the UK.