Women perform a dance at Elk Grove’s Diwali Festival Oct. 22 at District56.

 

ELK GROVE, CA (MPG) - At least 400 people celebrated Diwali – the Festival of Lights – Oct. 22 at District56 here where the audience cheered on the performers.

Guests included U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui, D-Sacramento, and Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen, a Sikh and immigrant from India. The festival started at about 6:30 p.m. and lasted for about two hours.

“It’s a one time we can bring everybody together,” Singh-Allen said of the meaning of the festival to Elk Grove, including Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and Jains.

Men in colorful garments perform on stage at Elk Grove’s Diwali Festival Oct. 22 at District56.

To her, “it’s a proud moment for me to celebrate my culture,” she said, after dancing to music on stage with others.  

Diwali “symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance,” according to a city webpage dedicated to the festival.

Partway through the celebration, Matsui, Singh-Allen and other dignitaries lit candles and placed them on a circular, multi-level candle stand.

“I see lights in this room,” said Matsui following the lighting ceremony. “It’s a light inside all of you.”

Singh-Allen “learned about good over evil” from her mom, who was in attendance and was celebrating a birthday.

“She is my light,” Singh-Allen said of her mom, who taught her to stand up for the voiceless.

Women perform a dance at Elk Grove’s Diwali Festival Oct. 22 at District56.

The mayor was far from the only one dancing at the festival Oct. 22. The event included performances by everyone from youth to seniors, many in bright, colored garments. Visitors even got a taste of Fiji from four dancers.

Children danced to begin the festival, which is in its eighth year.

It’s getting bigger and bigger, said Sita Choudhary, one of the coordinators. Planning starts two months before the celebration begins at the end of October or beginning of November, typically.

Performances occurred for at least an hour Oct. 22 to a variety of music. Food was available afterward.

Of the festival, “that was amazing,” said Elk Grove resident Anand Purohit. “It grows every year.”

Purohit has been an Elk Grove resident for about 12 years. Diwali is the biggest festival in India, Purohit said, and to Indian people it is equal to Christmas.

Elk Grove’s Diwali Festival in the largest in the Sacramento region, he said.

Fijian dancers perform at Elk Grove’s Diwali Festival Oct. 22 at District56.