Those celebrating Diwali are invited to Saskatoon’s Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple this evening at 6:30p.m.

Vishal Gupta, vice-president of the Hindu Society of Saskatchewan, says there will be a special Diwali Puja to start the evening, where the community will invoke the blessings of deities and offer them with prayer. That’s followed by the Maha Aarti, or the grand offering of light, at 7:00p.m., and a meet and greet with dignitaries to follow.

He adds that tealight candles will be lit, gifts will be exchanged, and traditional sweets will be enjoyed. He says it is a come-and-go celebration, but last year, over 150 people were in the temple at once. He expects similar numbers this year.

He explains that members from different levels of government will be coming in, including several city councilors and the City Police Chief. He adds that the mayor was unable to attend.

Snacks will be provided, and the event will be held at 107 La Ronge Road.

Gupta adds that everyone is welcome. He encourages people of all religions to check out what Diwali is all about.

“It’s not only Hindus that celebrate Diwali. Probably 1.5 billion people in India, they all celebrate for their own reasons. The people who follow Buddhism, they do celebrate Diwali. The Sikhs do celebrate Diwali. So they all have a different reason, but they all celebrate Diwali almost in the same way.”

Diwali is the festival of lights that symbolizes good overtaking evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. Roughly 1 billion people celebrate this holiday worldwide, and it is usually celebrated over the span of four or five days.