The spirit of joy, unity, and light filled the air as residents gathered for the annual Diwali Gala hosted by the Chatham Indian Community at Akbar Restaurant in Edison on October 25th. Families and friends came together to celebrate the Festival of Lights with music, dance, and cultural pride.
The evening was made even more special by the presence of Chatham Borough Mayor Carolyn Dempsey, who joined the celebration and shared in the festivities alongside community members.
Children and adults performed energetic Indian dance routines they had been practicing for weeks in honor of the occasion. In addition to the cultural performances, guests enjoyed a delectable spread of Indian cuisine, and the crowd danced to lively Bollywood music provided by a DJ. The evening was a vibrant blend of culture, color, and community pride.
The organizers expressed heartfelt gratitude to all volunteers, raffle sponsors, and attendees for making the celebration such a success.
“We are proud to see our traditions shine so brightly here in Chatham,” the organizers said. “Diwali reminds us that no matter where we come from, the light within us can illuminate our shared home.”
In keeping with the spirit of giving, the Chatham Indian Community is also hosting its annual food drive to benefit the Morris Plains Interfaith Food Pantry, honoring Diwali’s tradition of generosity toward those in need.
Diwali, the five-day Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus around the world, marks the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. On Diwali, families dress in traditional clothing, decorate their homes with rangoli, and illuminate diyas, small oil lamps, to bring warmth and prosperity. People perform Lakshmi Puja, worshipping the goddess of wealth and abundance, before gathering for fireworks and festive meals with loved ones.
This year, the main day of Diwali fell on October 20th. In recognition of the Hindu community’s cultural and spiritual contributions, many countries, states, and towns declared October as Hindu Heritage Month.
