'We need lightness': Diwalicelebrations underway in Waterloo region

After a year and a half of COVID-19 restrictions and events being cancelled,Sudhir Randevsays Diwali is bringing light back into people's lives.

"In Hinduism, everyday is very auspicious. We celebrate all 365 days. All the days have different significance, but Diwali is the most celebrated by the community because this is the festival of lights," Randev, the priest atRadha Krishna Mandir and Cultural Centre in Cambridge, said Thursday an in interview.

"We need lightness in our life. Nobody wants to stay in the darkness, so we always pray to the God for lightness."

People in Waterloo region are celebrating Diwali this week.The five-day holiday marks the festival of lights with the most significant day observed on Thursday.

The cultural centre is expected to welcome people for in-person festivities for the first time since the start of the pandemic.Members of the community will come to the temple in the evening to gather, pray, sing and light diyas.

The holiday is observed by communities of several faiths across India coming together to celebrate.

In-person gatherings

The temple and community centre was closed for some time, then opened to 25 per cent capacity and lifted more restrictions this week to welcome 50 per cent capacity, said Dwarka Persaud, president of the temple and community centre.

"It'll mean a lot for people to come out," Persaud said.

He said because of COVID-19 restrictions, their time inside may be limited.

Several youth in the community are planning on preparing meals this weekend to be delivered to three shelters in the community.

"Being a Hindu and selfless service is a really big part of who we are," said 15-year-old Yashmita Narine.

"It's really important to me that we do these services to give back to our community that we're a part of and show that we care and things like that."

The community is coming together again this weekend for a fundraising dinner for a new temple to meet increasing demand.