ManitobaThousands gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to mark Diwali at an event that organizers hoped would bring people of Indian background, and of all cultures and religions, together to celebrate. Diwali celebrated at Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre SaturdayDave Baxter · CBC News · Posted: Oct 12, 2025 11:48 AM EDT | Last Updated: 2 hours agoA traditional drumming group performs on Saturday at the Diwali Mela 2025 at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg On Saturday. (Dave Baxter/CBC)Thousands gathered in Winnipeg on Saturday to mark Diwali at an event that organizers hoped would bring people of Indian background, and of all cultures and religions, together to celebrate. On Saturday, the Hindu Society of Manitoba hosted the Diwali Mela 2025 at Winnipeg’s RBC Convention Centre, an event that featured traditional Indian food, dancing, entertainment and cultural programming. Diwali is the five-day “festival of lights” celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists in India and around the world. The name comes from the Sanskrit word deepavali, meaning row of lights, and the festival is meant to represent the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Anita Roy, the president of the Hindu Society of Manitoba, said although Diwali is traditionally an Indian celebration, she hoped to see people of all backgrounds and cultures at Saturday’s event. “Diwali means a celebration of the light,” Roy said. “It’s like a victory over the darkness, so we celebrate together, and it brings family together.“And it’s not just the Indian community or Hindu community. Everybody is welcome, this is a celebration of light, so everybody can celebrate.”A group of dancers are seen at the Diwali Mela 2025 held Saturday at the RBC Convention Centre in Winnipeg (Dave Baxter/CBC)Roy said they were expecting between 7,000 and 8,000 people at the event on Saturday. Jiwan Goyal, who came to the celebration with her husband Rohit and daughter Mayra, said for her Diwali is important because it’s a chance for all people of Indian descent and of different religions to come together as one. “It’s India’s biggest festival, so we all celebrate,” Goyal said. “All over India, north, south, east, and west, all of India celebrates it together.” Jiwan Mayra, who came to the celebration with her husband Rohit and daughter Mayra, said for her Diwali is important because it’s a chance for all people of Indian descent and of different religions to come together as one. (Dave Baxter/CBC)She said she was happy to see so many people at Saturday’s event and so many representing Indian culture. “It’s so good,” she said. “Everybody is in traditional dresses, so it’s so nice to see, it’s super good.”Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham was one of several dignitaries that took part in the event on Saturday, and said he believes the message of Diwali is one that is as timely as ever. “It’s a celebration of light over darkness, and if there’s ever a time we need to hear that positive message that light triumphs over darkness and good triumphs over evil, well now’s the time for that kind of message,” he said. “In our city we have such wonderful cultural diversity, and so standing with the community and celebrating with the community is an important thing to do.”Event organizer Charu Gupta said Diwali is also an opportunity for those of Indian descent and for those who are new to Canada to feel a little bit closer to home. “When they leave home and come here as new students or immigrants, the first thing they miss is not being home, so it’s something they can celebrate, and get that feeling away from home,” Gupta said.“It helps them to kind of settle down into a new home, which is Canada, and to feel accepted within the community and away from home, so it’s very important because culture, religion, food clothing, it’s something that keeps people together.”ABOUT THE AUTHORDave Baxter is an award-winning reporter and editor currently working for CBC Manitoba. Born and raised in Winnipeg, he has also previously reported for the Winnipeg Sun and the Winnipeg Free Press, as well as several rural Manitoba publications.With files from Gavin Axelrod