Festival of Lights scheduled for next weekend

Next weekend, the Belizean Indian community will join millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains around the world to celebrate Diwali, or the Festival of Lights. According to Rakhi Bhojwani, organizer of the local activities, the occasion is a chance for everyone to explore and enjoy Indian beliefs, songs and cuisine.

Rakhi Bhojwani, Organizer, Diwali Festival
“We are celebrating it on the tenth at the Princess at ten o’clock which is our usual dancing, music, food and of course everybody getting together and enjoying it together.”

Janelle Chanona
“What is the message that the Belizean Indian community would like to tell the rest of the society?”

Rakhi Bhojwani
“Well, we’ve been in Belize for a very long time and we all mingle together so I would love everybody to come and see how we celebrate this function and join us too. Diwali is a Festival of Lights, is of Mother Goddess Lakshmi and it’s a return of our Lord Rama from exile.”

Janelle Chanona
“So this is all about celebration?”

Rakhi Bhojwani
“All about celebrating his return home and that’s how we celebrate Diwali.”

Tickets for Diwali at the Princess next weekend are available at Rakhi’s Salon on New Road. Prices are fifty dollars for adults, thirty for children. Those charges cover entrance and food.