Earlier this week a group of our colleagues attended a wonderful Diwali Celebration event at the Indian Association Oldham, where we were welcomed with amazing hospitality and a day packed with activities to learn a little about the Hindu faith and its customs.
Starting our day we enjoyed a tour around the beautifully decorated temple, learning about Hinduism, the many gods and their significance. We were then accompanied by several of the Temple's community members to learn how to wear traditional saris, and who doesn't love a bit of dress up? Jane, Julie and Vanessa all got the opportunity to model some beautiful saris provided by the ladies from the Indian Association, and Nayan and Lui looked incredibly smart in their traditional outfits too.
Next up it was time to get to grips with some authentic dance moves as we enjoyed a 'dandiya' dance workshop. What looked reasonably simple and elegant when demonstrated by the community members, proved rather tricky for some of our Action Together participants, but we all had fun trying to keep up!
Dancing over, we were treated to the most amazing lunch of traditional vegetarian dishes followed by an insightful presentation about Diwali, the festival of lights, which celebrates the symbolic victory of light over dark. Darkness being the symbol of many negative forces, while the light symbolises knowledge, wisdom, peace and harmony.
To close our time at the Indian Association we took part in a 'rangoli' workshop, making decorative patterns with coloured powders. Rangoli is the art of drawing images and motifs and stands for a sign of welcome. They are used throughout Diwali to welcome the Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the wonderful community members of the India Association Oldham for their wonderfully warm reception welcoming us into their temple and sharing with us their faith, the meaning of Diwali to them, all the fabulous activities, and not forgetting our spectacular lunch!
Thanks also to our very own Charly and Nayan for organising the event.
