In pictures: Performances and fashion show at Maidenhead Diwali celebration

Cultural performances and an ‘icing on the cake’ fashion show lit up the Diwali celebrations at St Piran’s School on Sunday.

The festival of lights signifies the victory of good over evil and is a major celebration in the Hindu, Sikh and Jain calendars.

The event saw more than 100 people dressed in colourful outfits gather in Tippet Hall for a day of festivities, food, music and dance at the Hindu Society of Maidenhead’s (HSM) Diwali Meet.

Guests enjoyed Ramleela – a re-enactment of the life of Rama and how he fought against Ravana – performed by children aged six to 13-years-old and adults.

Trustee Preeti Garg, who organised the celebrations with Eneet Walia and the team, explained that the re-enactment was segregated into two parts, with the first part delivered by youngsters in English and the second performed by adults in Hindi.

“It was quite good to see all the encouragement all the people [got],” she added.

The team had been working ‘tirelessly’ over the last month to practice every weekend and it ‘came out really well’, Preeti added.

Guests also enjoyed dance performances and a fashion show, with many showing off their outfits on the main stage.

Children aged three to 12-years-old performed Diwali songs.

More than 30 people took part in the entertainment.

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds and RBWM mayor Mandy Brar watched the entertainment and took part in an Aarti ceremony, before handing out certificates and tubs of chocolate to children and adults at the event.

The pair also gave speeches at the event, with Cllr Brar sharing her hopes for HSM to find a permanent home.

HSM has been looking for a permanent location for the last 20 years and meets at St Piran’s on the first Sunday of each month.

Preeti said: “Our vision is to get a Hindu temple in Maidenhead.

“We are working tirelessly. [The] first thing we need to do is find the right place.”

Fellow trustee Chander Mohan Malhotra added: “It is very important, especially coming with the new generation.

“If they have a place, then they can come.”

The event concluded with Prashad (an offering of food), featuring traditional dishes prepared by volunteers.

Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Reading were also present at the event.

Preeti added: “It went very well. All of the effort [has] paid off.”