Moving to a Different Beat
Sunday in Old Aylesbury is typically a quiet affair, the silence occasionally broken by church bells. Yet, this weekend spirits were lifted and music filled the air, as the community joined together to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Drawn by the Bollywood beats and the rhythm of Dhol drums, visitors were met by a large, illuminated depiction of Ganesha.
Who is Ganesha?
Ganesha is the bringer of new beginnings, the remover of life’s obstacles and associated with magic, laughter and the celebration of life’s beauty. It’s no wonder that this elephant-headed deity is much loved in Hindu culture! It is traditional to pay respects to Ganesha during Diwali and he’s particularly fond of offerings of mango and Laddus sweets!
Uniting for a Magical Celebration
Attending Aylesbury’s Festival of Lights is an easy way to discover magic, laughter and celebration. People of all ages, backgrounds and cultures joined together for an afternoon that simply delights. For a start, nothing brightens a cloudy November day more than the elaborate, colourful and decoratively adorned outfits of performers and guests.
Gathered in the gardens and learning zone rooms of the Discover Bucks Museum, a riot of colour erupted as the crowd built. And then, the music and dancing began! Mesmerising performances were followed by opportunities to learn a few moves and join in.
Firstly, Kalpesh and the K’z Dance troop got us moving to lively and traditional dance steps that originate from the Gujarat region. Later, Choreographer Jay Kumar and his Jai Ho dancers got us trying out a few Bollywood routines. It was wonderful to see young and old uniting on stage and in the audience with smiles on their faces and arms in the air!
Sensory Delights for the Community
Garlands of flowers, draped fabric, lights and decorative displays provided visual stimulation and the sounds were music to our ears. And no, your eyes weren’t deceiving you as two white ethereal beings raised us to new heights. The stilt walkers were a magical sight!
What’s more, the sensory delights didn’t end there! For a start, the wonderful aromas and tastes of moreish foods. Who could resist the traditional Indian dishes and spicy chai, along with the chance to sample a selection of vegetarian jaggery snacks and premium loose-leaf teas? The delicious samosas were a big hit!
As for touch, there were options to feel the delicate silk, as you were dressed in a sari or the cool liquid henna applied to the skin for an intricate temporary tattoo. Younger visitors were keen to have their faces painted or apply their artistic talents to decorating lanterns.
Words of Wisdom
Aylesbury’s Festival of Lights is inspired by Diwali. It’s a significant occasion in the Hindu calendar, marking the victory of light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. In addition to joining together to feast and dance, Diwali is a time to visit the temple and worship. Our event was led by traditional prayers, which offer a moment of reflection and hope for new beginnings. We take these words of wisdom with us in our hearts and minds.
Another custom is to light candles on folded paper boats or lanterns. These are placed in water as a prayer is spoken. Not to miss out, there were trays filled with water on which the wishes of guests were floated.
We also appreciated the attendance of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant Countess Howe, Chairman of Buckinghamshire Council Mimi Harker OBE and Aylesbury Town Mayor, along with Holy Cow Community trustees and Patron Ranjula Takodra. Their support and speeches added eminence to the event.
Light Up the Darkness
As the evening drew in, light-covered umbrellas, lanterns and multicoloured light sticks illuminated the dancers. A fluid line of people paraded around the Museum gardens, singing, dancing and drawing the event to a close.
Behind the scenes, teams of volunteers were busy clearing tables, sweeping floors and washing up. We thank them all for working tirelessly to make the event a success.
If you didn’t make it this year and feel that you missed out on moving to a different beat, do not despair. Thanks to our generous funders and trustees, Aylesbury’s Festival of Lights will return in 2025 and all are welcome! Follow Holy Cow Community on Facebook where information on the date and ticket booking will be shared.
