Written stories
Diwali is made up of countless personal stories - of family traditions, community connections, and moments of joy. In this section, you’ll find two beautifully crafted written stories, inspired by real testimonies from people who have lived and loved Leicester’s Diwali celebrations. Carefully curated by Asha Krishna, a writer and researcher from Leicester, these narratives bring the festival to life, capturing the emotions, memories, and significance of Diwali through the voices of those who know it best.
Belgrave Road Diwali Celebrations & I
I still remember my first visit to Belgrave Road.
It is a treasured memory from all those years ago, when as a newly married bride I was transported straight from a chaotic Indian city to the maddening quiet of the National forest.
Belgrave Library Story
Decades ago, when the local community had no idea what the festival of lights was, Nirmala Bhajani, remembers hosting Diwali events for her members at the Belgrave library.
Shop Owners’ Perspective
I have customers coming from as far as Manchester and Sheffield who come to buy gold during the period between the light switch on and the Diwali day.
This is the Beauty of Leicester
At the Belgrave library knitting group, it is heartening to catch a conversation laced with Punjabi and Hindi between Sikh ladies and their Gujarati friends.
