SLIDESHOW: Hundreds share in sacred Hindu Diwali festivities

Crawley's Hindu community enjoyed celebrations of pray and feasting this week as they marked Diwali, one of their most sacred times of year.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2016, 14:03 GMT
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 02:01 GMT
Diwali festival and New Year at Crawley's Gurjar Hindu Union Temple, the Apple Tree Centre. Pic Steve Robards SR1632829 SUS-160111-085554001Diwali festival and New Year at Crawley's Gurjar Hindu Union Temple, the Apple Tree Centre. Pic Steve Robards SR1632829 SUS-160111-085554001
Diwali festival and New Year at Crawley's Gurjar Hindu Union Temple, the Apple Tree Centre. Pic Steve Robards SR1632829 SUS-160111-085554001

On Monday (October 31) the Hindu Sanatan Mandir Apple Tree Centre in Ifield was a picture of colour as they invited the community to join them for a day of dance, prayer and exchanging gifts. President Bharat Lukka, said: “Diwali or Deepawali, is not only festival of lights, but also marks the beginning of the Hindu new year.”