Diwali, the ‘Festival of Lights’, is being celebrated today – Wednesday 7th November – by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
For those taking part, it’s a celebration of goodness overcoming evil, light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair.

Those celebrating commemorate the day with food, sweets, fireworks and worship; both at home and at temple. This worship is known as ‘puja’, and is as important as the family time and feasting.
Sikhs honour the day as Bandi Chhor Divas, which marks the release of Guru Hargobind and coincides with Diwali. While Jains observe the day as final liberation of Mahavira; and Buddhists celebrate as part of their worship of goddess Laxmi.
As Brummies and thousands of people from across the West Midlands observe Diwali, the city has been out to share their festive greetings.

Here’s some beautiful Diwali greetings from across the region:
#1 I Am Birmingham
Wishing everyone a very happy #Diwali. pic.twitter.com/bmVqb3IZb7
— I Am Birmingham (@IAmBirmingham) November 6, 2018
#2 West Midlands Police
https://twitter.com/WMPolice/status/1060159345130983425
#3 Shree Geeta Bhawan Temple
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp3nLxNALym/?utm_source=ig_twitter_share&igshid=13pw9xyjz4zj5
#4 Antonio Aakeel
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp4Va-JjXP-/
#5 Meera Syal
https://twitter.com/MeeraSyal/status/1060098102080749570
#6 Birmingham REP
https://twitter.com/BirminghamRep/status/1060179541379948544
#7 Aston Villa FC
https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/1060127294390501376
#8 Leader of Birmingham City Council, Cllr Ian Ward
https://twitter.com/BrumLeader/status/1060104423618330629
#9 Birmingham Archives
https://twitter.com/TheIronRoom/status/1060161280101748738
#10 Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice
https://twitter.com/brumshospice/status/1060109122182569984
#11 NX West Midlands
https://twitter.com/nxwestmidlands/status/1060109904994807813
#12 Birmingham City University (BCU)
https://twitter.com/MyBCU/status/1060193551471009792
#13 Sohan Kailey and Bhangra Tots
https://twitter.com/sohankailey/status/1059946025169895426
#14 BrumHour
https://twitter.com/BrumHour/status/1060231907017940994
#15 Birmingham City Council
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp4sSCljaJa/
#16 Resorts World
https://twitter.com/RW_Birmingham/status/1060149983184388097
#17 Birmingham Airport
https://twitter.com/bhx_official/status/1060145396121550848
#18 Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
https://twitter.com/BM_AG/status/1060136721164189697
#19 Sampad Arts
https://twitter.com/sampad_arts/status/1060119820425924608
#20 Birmingham City FC
https://twitter.com/BCFC/status/1060110046812618753