Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights and was celebrated at the Krishna Temple in Millcreek at the beginning of November.

Parking was scarce as the Millcreek community flocked to the Temple on a rainy night to take part in the festival of lights. The chanting and music from the Krishna Temple helped welcome a full house of people ready to enjoy this important festival. 

Kapil Sharma is on the service committee for the Krishna Temple. “This is one of our most prominent festivals. They call it the festival of light. The whole idea is to bring light to everyone’s life,” Sharma said. “It’s light, festivities and food.”

The evening began with a brief overview of Diwali and an understanding of why Diwali is celebrated. An explanation of how a god killed a monster and how this was a spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Artist performances and several traditional dances along with a drama by some of the children were all part of the festivities. 

“Later, we will have a group dance called garba that is a dance from northern India,” Sharma said. “Several people will dress up in different styles of clothing from different states in India and perform these dances.”

“Diwali is celebrated all over India and during the festival of lights we burst firecrackers, a lot of them in each and every home. It’s a tradition,” said one of the fathers of the young female dancers performing at the festival.

The Krishna Temple in Millcreek has been here for almost 13 years and is connected to the temple in Spanish Fork.

This was a free event that went on until the evening. The traditional music, lights, bright colored clothing, upbeat dancing, drama, storytelling and vegetarian food were all part of this Diwali festival to help bring light to the many folks who came out to celebrate.