Chichester Celebrates Diwali with a Festival of Light

To mark Diwali, the Festival of Lights, Chichester City Council will be illuminating the Market Cross and Council House in a series of colours reflecting the five days of this important Hindu celebration.

Observed by millions of people around the world, Diwali symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and hope over despair. Each evening, the buildings will be lit in a different colour representing the significance of that day’s celebration:

• Dhanteras (Friday 6 November) – Gold
  Celebrating wellbeing, prosperity, and wealth.

• Naraka Chaturdashi (Saturday 7 November) – Red
  Marking the victory of good over evil.

• Diwali / Lakshmi Puja (Sunday 8 November) – Yellow
  Commemorating the return of Lord Rama and Sita to Ayodhya, with lamps traditionally lit to guide them home.

• Govardhan Puja (Monday 9 November) – Green
  Celebrating respect for nature and the environment, and Lord Krishna’s protection of the people of Vrindavan.

• Bhai Dooj (Tuesday 10 November) – Pink or Orange
  Honouring the special bond between brothers and sisters.

Through this display, Chichester City Council is proud to recognise and celebrate the city’s diverse communities and cultures.

We wish all residents celebrating Diwali a joyful, peaceful, and prosperous Festival of Lights. Happy Diwali!