OneJAIN & Diwali on Trafalgar Square (DOTS) Celebrations

On a warm autumn Sunday 27 October 2024, over ten thousand people, including members of the UK’s Asian community, tourists, and residents gathered in London’s Trafalgar Square to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. This annual event, the 23rd this year, is organised by Diwali in London Committee (DIL) and the Mayor of London.

DIL comprises of various Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist & other Asian organisations. This year, OneJAIN were honoured to be part of the DIL and be fully involved in the celebrations, including: –

Institute of Jainology & OneJAIN stall manned by young & old volunteers from the Jain community.
Numerous Jain organisations came together to highlight Diwali from a Jain perspective – how & why Jains celebrate Diwali. For Jains, Diwali is a celebration of Lord Mahavir attaining Moksha, and this year is more special, for it marks Lord Mahavir’s 2,550th anniversary of achieving the liberated state.
Two dance performances on stage, which were well received by the public.

The event which ran from 1.00pm to 7.00pm, included diverse dance performances by London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities, live music, comedy shows, yoga sessions, and interactive sari and turban-tying workshops as well as vegetarian food stalls.

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, praised all the organisers & participants, recognizing the event as an epitome of Diwali and emphasised themes of unity and good prevailing over evil, when addressing the attendees.

This Diwali celebration in London is now considered as a major annual event that draws in large crowds from UK’s multicultural communities, thereby reinforcing the unity in diversity.