Waterloo Region celebrates Diwali 2020 virtually
Posted Nov 14, 2020 11:45:00 AM.
Residents of Waterloo Region — and millions of other Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists around the world — are celebrating the Indian festival of lights on Saturday evening.
Dwarka Persaud, the former president of the Radha Krishna Mandir in Cambridge says Diwali is a celebration of goodness over evil.
“There are different customs we have [around the world]. It's a major, major celebration. It's celebrated all across India, Guyana, Trinidad, Mauritius — it's all national holidays. So it's a major event and for those who have come here and have adapted it to their cultures say 'hey, this is worth celebrating'.”
He says to help people celebrate safely this year, the temple has started an online Diwali contest that anyone is welcome to join.
“To encourage people for the celebration of Diwali, we are asking them to light up their homes, take a picture, and post it on Facebook. Then we will have a panel that will judge the best lit homes, the best decorated homes. Because as you know, people will do rangolis around their homes, they will light up and do preparations by cleaning their homes.”
Persaud says there will be a lot of virtual ways to celebrate this year — and those who would like to, can also learn more about the festival through their new podcast.
“We have a priest who will be doing a podcast on Facebook about Diwali and the significance of it. We will lighting up our diyas at home and coming to the temple afterwards, if people want to.”
Anyone is welcome to join the podcast, which will be airing on the temple's Facebook page.
