HÀ NỘI — One of the biggest Indian festivals – Diwali – will be celebrated at the JW Marriot Hotel on November 24.

Dubbed “the festival of lights,” the event will be organised by the Indian Business Chamber in Việt Nam (INCHAM) along with the Indian community.

Diwali or Deepavali celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness as told in the ancient epic - the Ramayana, which narrates the struggle of the divine prince Rama as he rescues his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

It has major religious significance for Indian religious groups including Hindus, Sikhs and Jains ­– not only in India, but also for Indians living abroad.

In the western calendar, Diwali falls in the month of either October or November every year, just after the monsoon season in India. The exact date varies and is calculated based on the Hindu Luni Solar calendars.

This date also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and many businesses in India start a new fiscal year on the Diwali holiday.

This year, a grand cultural night is being organised to bring the Indian cultural spirit to Hà Nội, according to Phạm Ngọc Anh, an INCHAM officer.

It is highlighted by the colours and values of time-honoured Indian culture, namely cuisine, musical and fashion performances, a live Bollywood dance performance, a Yoga performance with master Bharat, a performance by DJ Dev, Bharatanatyam dance (Indian classical dance art), a lucky draw, a hip-hop dance performance, a juggler show and henna body and face painting.

The Diwali 2018 event will have a special performance of Electrifying Dhol by the band Dholiz from Malaysia and a fashion show by Indian designer Jaykirti. — VNS