Southshore Community Centre lights up for Diwali

The Southeast Asian Association of Simcoe County (SAASC) hosted a special gala for Diwali in Barrie Saturday evening, celebrating the Hindu Festival of Lights with a Diya lighting ceremony at General John Hayter Southshore Community Centre.

More than 200 were in attendance for an evening of music, food, dance and celebration.

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“Diwali brings light into everybody’s life,” said Kripali Tailor from the SAASC board of directors. “It’s about being together, celebrating together and good over evil,”

The holiday marks the Hindu lord Rama’s return to the Indian city of Ayodhya and how Rama was guided and greeted by lights (Diya).

“We don’t ever want to lose where our roots come from and where our culture is,” said Sangita Madan, President of the SAASC. “A lot of us have children who have been born and raised in Canada and we want them to understand what our culture is all about, what Diwali is all about, and how we celebrate it.”

Diwali is the last major holiday on the Hindu calendar and SAASC community members will continue to celebrate the occasion throughout the month.