Festival of Lights celebrated in Maplewood Memorial Park

SOMA Cross-Cultural Works partnered with the Township of Maplewood to host the 6th annual Diwali Fest, a multicultural celebration of Diwali and South Asian arts and culture. Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Photos by Rocco Ungaro

The event was held Saturday in the Memorial Park amphitheater and it featured dancing, singing and food.

Among the dance companies performing at the event were Navatman Dance Co., Kings Bhangra, Sriyam School of Dance and Kulture Kool Bollywood Dance.

Nidhi Tomar, one of the coordinators, said the event ended with a Diya Lighting Ceremony and sparklers for the kids.

“It went really well,” Tomar said. “Beyond our expectations.”