Celebrating Diwali
The Festival of Lights – the Trust helps celebrate Diwali in Grangetown
Celebrating Diwali
It was not a case of straight down the pub after the disappointment of the draw against Palace last month for some of us. No, members of the Trust’s Community Group were in celebratory mood as they joined in the festivities to mark Diwali at the Hindu Temple in Grangetown.
Diwali is a five day festival when homes are decorated and candles and lamps lit, rather like Christmas celebrations. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil. In Hindi, Diwali means “Festival of Lights” and it commemorates heroic figures in Indian mythology that triumphed over the forces of evil.
We had been invited to join the celebrations of the Hindu New Year by a group of young Hindus who had attended our community event at the stadium in September. One of the lads is a season ticket holder and the group asked some very probing questions about the Cardiff City FC and the local community. Our community evening was part of the Trust’s drive to bring club and the community closer together.
Members of the Community group attended the Hindu centre in Grangetown to celebrate the third day of Diwali which is the last day of the Hindu calendar. We were given a fantastic welcome and made more good contacts on the night. The evening included the serving of some superb Indian food before we sat down for the special Diwali show of Indian dancing.
Trust members enjoy the celebrations
The Grangetown Hindu Association has been running for 25 years and we were given a presentation on its history. The evening was also a chance for the Association to honour the academic and sporting success of young Hindus. As members of the Community Group we were particularly interested in the annual cricket tournament organised by the Association and we are looking at the possibility of organising a football tournament involving the Hindu community next year.
Special thanks must go to Mr Arvind Vasani, the Chair of the Association, and Shanta Rupalia who made us so welcome and gave us such a fantastic evening.
Tim Hartley
Vice Chair CCST