537. First Diwali Celebration this weekend October 10 and 11 – 2015.

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights this year is on November 10 and 11. Like Christmas, this favourite festival is celebrated in many locations across the GTA during a period of over a month. For a list, see: http://www.deepavali.net/canada.php. Events range from free to expensive gala banquets that you book by the table.

Not mentioned in the list is the first of these celebrations. On October 10 and 11, a free Razzmatazz organized by the Indo-Canada Arts Council will be at Mississauga Celebration Square starting at 10am. It claims to be the “Biggest Ever”. From its advertisement in the Star on September 26, it looks like its performers will include both traditional and Bollywood dancers. We did try to connect with its website but were frightened away by our Anti-Virus software. Safer is: https://www.facebook.com/events/552760411541625/.

Like Christmas also, the celebrations range from secular events like Razzmatazz to deeply religious ones at Hindu temples. For people wanting to experience a festival at the most beautiful Hindu temple in the GTA, we highly recommend the BAPS tours for schools and groups – also free – but you do have to reserve a time. This is the only temple we know of where guides will take you from room to room and explain different aspects of Hinduism and answer your questions about the statues and the mountains of food offerings for the different manifestations of its one god. Do organize a group of your friends and book a time as soon as possible. Unfortunately photos are not allowed without special permission.

The website for booking is: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/zs8sfxht29lf91t/AAD82lU2NteHopnCxvt7rs9wa/diwali_booking_form.doc?dl=0. Email: tours.toronto@canada.baps.org or fax 416-798-4498. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is at 61 Claireville Dr., Toronto at Hwy 427 and Finch.

For our previous Blog about the BAPS event, see: https://www.torontomulticulturalcalendar.com/2012/11/18/327-diwali-festival-at-baps-hindu-temple-a-report/

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