Birmingham greetings from across the city for Diwali 2018
Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’, is being celebrated today – Wednesday 7th November – by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
For those taking part, it’s a celebration of goodness overcoming evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.
Those celebrating commemorate the day with food, sweets, fireworks and worship; both at home and at temple. This worship is known as ‘puja’, and is as important as the family time and feasting.
Sikhs honour the day as Bandi Chhor Divas, which marks the release of Guru Hargobind and coincides with Diwali. While Jains observe the day as final liberation of Mahavira; and Buddhists celebrate as part of their worship of goddess Laxmi.
As Brummies and thousands of people from across the West Midlands observe Diwali, the city has been out to share their festive greetings.
Here’s some beautiful Diwali greetings from across the region:
#1 I Am Birmingham
Wishing everyone a very happy #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/bmVqb3IZb7
— I Am Birmingham (@IAmBirmingham) November 6, 2018
#2 West Midlands Police
Wishing a happy #Diwali to all celebrating the Festival of Lights across the West Midlands! 🎆✨ pic.twitter.com/4Gtijjh146
— West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) November 7, 2018
#3 Shree Geeta Bhawan Temple
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Shree Geeta Bhawan (@shreegeetabhawanbirmingham) on
#4 Antonio Aakeel
View this post on Instagram✨ Happy Diwali everyone ✨ Now go and eat some Ladoos… 😁 ☄️
A post shared by Antonio Aakeel (@antonioaakeel) on
#5 Meera Syal
Peace, joy and love to you all #HappyDiwali pic.twitter.com/X496srQAZ6
— MeeraSyal (@MeeraSyal) November 7, 2018
#6 Birmingham REP
Wishing everyone a very Happy #Diwali pic.twitter.com/p2AlZ1oLYx
— The REP (@BirminghamRep) November 7, 2018
#7 Aston Villa FC
Happy #Diwali to all Villa fans celebrating the Festival of Lights.#AVFC pic.twitter.com/Q8tjTYg8YS
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) November 7, 2018
#8 Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward
Happy #Diwali to everyone celebrating in Birmingham and around the world pic.twitter.com/kSSfw1V8LR
— LeaderofBirmingham (@BrumLeader) November 7, 2018
#9 Birmingham Archives
It's #Diwali & we hold the Sangeeta Redgrave Collection with photographs documenting the Hindu Festival of Lights and festivities and events in the month leading up to it and the Gujarati New Year [MS 2356] https://t.co/i9uztuzfQ7
— Birmingham Archives (@TheIronRoom) November 7, 2018
#10 Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice
To celebrate #Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, here's Sunita in our Peace Room, explaining how we support people from all religions and those who aren't religious too… https://t.co/C4YYdNhLaj #WednesdayWisdom pic.twitter.com/lhn3ZXfbBf
— Birmingham St Mary's Hospice (@brumshospice) November 7, 2018
#11 NX West Midlands
Happy #Diwali to all those celebrating this week from National Express West Midlands! ✨ The 5 day #FestivalofLight celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil, and light over darkness 🕯️ #Diwali2018 #Birmingham #WestMidlands #Celebrate pic.twitter.com/xCUnMmGIFF
— NX West Midlands (@nxwestmidlands) November 7, 2018
#12 Birmingham City University (BCU)
Happy #Diwali to all of our staff, students and alumni celebrating today, including our @bcusikhsociety pic.twitter.com/kWM6rJN9XX
— Birmingham City Uni (@MyBCU) November 7, 2018
#13 Sohan Kailey and Bhangra Tots
Amazing #bonfire #diwali party with @BhangraTotsHQ this evening @NorfolkHNursery #birmingham #families #dj # pic.twitter.com/AYczh8HXYp
— Sohan Kailey (@sohankailey) November 6, 2018
#14 BrumHour
Happy Diwali #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/e1eL1w2zJz
— #BrumHour 🐝 (@BrumHour) November 7, 2018
#15 Birmingham City Council
View this post on InstagramHappy #Diwali to everyone celebrating in Birmingham and around the world
A post shared by Birmingham City Council (UK) (@bhamcitycouncil) on
#16 Resorts World
Happy #Diwali to all those celebrating today! pic.twitter.com/hlzsnJcKf3
— Resorts World (@RW_Birmingham) November 7, 2018
#17 Birmingham Airport
To all those celebrating today. Wishing you a Happy Diwali from Birmingham Airport 🎇🎆 pic.twitter.com/hOn97vLkEi
— Birmingham Airport (@bhx_official) November 7, 2018
#18 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Happy #Diwali to all our Hindu visitors and followers! This Diwali card was made around 2001 and is from Birmingham’s Social History collection. pic.twitter.com/R60nWC8ZWu
— Birmingham Museums (@BM_AG) November 7, 2018
#19 Sampad Arts
🙏Wishing our supporters and artists Happy Diwali🙏
We’re looking back our ‘Festival of Light’ project in 2017.Local schools took part in performance workshops and lantern making, all before the grand finale at Birmingham Town Hall!
#Diwali #Diwali2018 #DiwaliBirmingham pic.twitter.com/RxKWqeFp0o— Sampad Arts (@sampad_arts) November 7, 2018
#20 Birmingham City FC
Happy #Diwali to all Blues fans celebrating the Festival of Lights! 🔵🙌#BCFC pic.twitter.com/qzmzLdUmdc
— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) November 7, 2018