Diwali, the Indian Festival of Lights, was celebrated by the Connecticut chapter of GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) in partnership with the Ferguson library and the Stamford Mayor's Multicultural Council (MMC) with traditional music, dance, Mehendi, Indian snacks and a rangoli exhibition.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

Diwali, which is a major festival in the Indian sub-continent, celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains all over the world. Diwali is now a public holiday in many US towns and cities including New York.

The performances by local dance schools showcased the diversity of India with classical, fusion, folk as well as Bollywood dances. Indian delicacies served after the event were enjoyed by all.

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.

In these three photos above, girls from the Stamford chapter of Hindi USA are performing the Deepvandana stotram in dance form at GOPIO- CT's annual Diwali celebration in collaboration with the Stamford Mayor's multicultural council and the Ferguson library. In Hindu Sanatan Dharma, the tradition of lighting a lamp in the early morning hours and in the evening at sunset is more than 5000 years old. Any auspicious occasion, be it a festival, a wedding or a puja, is initiated with the lighting of a lamp. Diwali or Deepawali (meaning row of deeps/diyas little lamps) is celebrated by lighting little diyas or lamps as it falls on New moon day, to remove the darkness, representing victory of light of knowledge over the darkness of ignorance. Fire from a diya symbolizes purity and enlightenment.

The dancers pictured above include: Chandrala Kulkarni, Saanvi  Kulkarni, Shreya Perinkulam, Saesha Gianchandani, Ishika Rao, Ipsika Bokka, Hansika Janna

The event was a culmination of the flawless team work between three organizations. Everyone came together to spend the afternoon immersed in the culture, heritage and colors of the Diwali, the festival of lights. 

Photos By J.C. Martin For WestportLocalPress.com  Click on an image to enlarge and open gallery.