Portsmouth Hindus come together for Diwali and Kali Puja - celebrating the triumph of good over evil

Chris Broom
By Chris Broom
Published 24th Oct 2022, 20:26 BST
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HINDUS from across the city have gathered to celebrate the triumph of good over evil in Diwali – the festival of light.

The Portsmouth Hindu Society, which only formed two years ago, was able to hold its second in-person Diwali, after Covid ruined their plans for 2020.

Diwali began yesterday for the society’s members at St George’s Church in Portsea with the Puja, which saw light, incense, flowers and food as well as prayers being offered to the goddess Kali. They also created stunning, intricate artworks known as rangoli.

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Guddu Ghosh, who was among the 11 families who helped organise the festival, said: ‘Our family is from north-east India, so we do Kali Puja, it’s still good winning out over bad. In other parts of India they have Lakshmi Puja, but it’s all part of Diwali.

Portsmouth Hindu Society celebrate Diwali Picture: Habibur RahmanPortsmouth Hindu Society celebrate Diwali Picture: Habibur Rahman
Portsmouth Hindu Society celebrate Diwali Picture: Habibur Rahman

‘It’s basically the festival of light when everyone gets together and celebrates good winning over evil.’

The day’s festivities also included fireworks and Prashad – food cooked for devotees after prayer.

Guddu, from Victoria Street in Buckland added: ‘When I was a child we always wanted to celebrate Diwali, but we didn’t have the community here in Portsmouth so we just light the candles in our own homes and that was it.

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‘But as the community has grown, now we have created a special bond and it’s a day to celebrate for everyone together.

Chumki Mitra, Nirupama Mantha, Sunita and Anna Ghosh making a Rangoli at St Georges Church, Portsmouth on Monday 24th October 2022. Picture: Habibur RahmanChumki Mitra, Nirupama Mantha, Sunita and Anna Ghosh making a Rangoli at St Georges Church, Portsmouth on Monday 24th October 2022. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Chumki Mitra, Nirupama Mantha, Sunita and Anna Ghosh making a Rangoli at St Georges Church, Portsmouth on Monday 24th October 2022. Picture: Habibur Rahman

‘It’s not just for us Hindus, it’s open to everyone and we would like people to come along and learn as well. The community is getting stronger but we want to spread the word to others as well to let them know that we are here.’

Diwali is one of three major major festivals in the Hindu calendar that the society is marking. Last month saw them celebrate Durga Puja, paying homage to the goddess Durga.

In Hindu mythology, the demon Mahishasura set out to wage war against the gods and it was up to Durga to slay him and protect Earth. Durga Puja commemorates her victory.

And then on January 26 next year is Saraswati Puja, which marks preparations for the arrival of spring.

To find out more search ‘Portsmouth Hindu Society’ on Instagram.com.