PEIBillions of people around the world are celebrating Diwali on Monday, and here on P.E.I., many Islanders are joining in the celebrations.The Hindu Society of P.E.I. drew hundreds to its weekend celebrationThinh Nguyen · CBC News · Posted: Oct 20, 2025 9:41 AM EDT | Last Updated: 3 hours agoRekha Chaudhary says her family took Monday off from school and work to celebrate Diwali together. (Thinh Nguyen/CBC)Billions of people around the world are celebrating Diwali on Monday, and here on P.E.I., many Islanders are joining in the celebrations.The festival of lights has been celebrated in India for more than 2,500 years. It commemorates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The five-day festival is marked by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs around the world.The Hindu Society of P.E.I. hosted a major celebration over the weekend at the Eastlink Centre in Charlottetown.“It was fantastic. It was more [successful than] we thought. The parking lot was full. The event was grand. There was lots of spiritual programs, musical instruments,” Rekha Chaudhary, the treasurer of the Hindu Society of P.E.I., told CBC’s Island Morning.Chaudhary said her family took Monday off from school and work to celebrate together. The day before, they cleaned, decluttered and decorated their home in preparation.“In the evening, we do fireworks, celebration, we meet friends, we exchange gifts, sweets, dry fruits. That gives us lots of joy,” she said.Celebrating community togethernessChaudhary said the theme of Saturday’s event focused on women’s empowerment, with every dance performance centered around celebrating women’s strength and resilience.She estimated more than 700 people attended the event.“There were many people coming from different communities and … a sense of togetherness,” she said.Jay Patel with the P.E.I. Titans says the group is planning more events next year to give back to the Island community, including fundraisers for local charities and food drives. (Thinh Nguyen/CBC)Jay Patel was among those who attended the celebration.“When I went in there, you just get the feeling of being back home,” he said.“It’s all lighted up and brightened up. And it’s like a fair when you go in different stalls, have different kinds of food and enjoy all the cultural performances, and that takes you back to my childhood memories.”Patel is part of the P.E.I. Titans, a group established in 2022 with a mission not only to organize Indian cultural festivals on the Island but also to promote sports like cricket.The Titans are also hosting a Diwali event this Saturday at the Cornwall Civic Centre, which will feature dance performances, music, games and traditional food.Looking aheadBoth the Hindu society and the P.E.I. Titans say their efforts extend beyond Diwali, with new projects and events aimed at strengthening community connections year-round.The society is working on building a new temple for its members. It bought a piece of land in Winsloe South, and is waiting for it to be rezoned before it can start construction.Rekha Chaudhary with the Hindu Society of P.E.I. says more than 700 people attended the group’s Diwali celebration Saturday in Charlottetown. (Submitted by Rekha Chaudhary)Chaudhary said the temple, once completed, will accommodate between 200 and 300 people and provide space for activities such as worship, meditation and cultural celebrations.“It’s a great space to bring our kids so they can be rooted for our values and our culture. So we’re just working hard towards that,” she said.Meanwhile, the P.E.I. Titans are continuing to bring people together through sports. In the summer, the group organizes cricket matches, and during the fall and winter, members gather for indoor volleyball at Immanuel Christian School.“We train to bring the community and the people together,” he said.He added that the Titans are planning more events next year to give back to the Island community, including fundraisers for local charities and food drives.With files from Island Morning
A sense of togetherness: Islanders gather to celebrate Diwali
