Around 20,000 Southern California residents are anticipated to celebrate Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, this weekend at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles in Chino Hills. The free Community Diwali Festival starts Friday, Nov. 1, and continues with religious celebrations and festivities through Sunday, Nov. 3. Diwali is celebrated annually each fall, usually in October or November, by people of Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and other faiths. “Each has its own unique way of celebrating and commemorating the festival,” said volunteer Mahul Patel. “It unites people of all faiths and backgrounds.” Visitors pose for a family photo during Diwali celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Visitors appreciate the intricately hand-carved marble pillars inside the Hindu temple at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during the Diwali celebration in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) A lone woman climbs the stars at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Hindu temple on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Chino Hills. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun/SCNG Pramod Kariyanna captures a family photo with his daughter, Aaradjya Kariyann, 2, his mother, Rathna Kariyanna, and wife, Apoorva Jayarangaiah, during the Diwali celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Shailey Patel, a dedicated volunteer from Eastvale, right, delicately adds final touches to a vibrant rangoli, a hand-decorated colorful pattern, as part of the Diwali celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Streaks of light cut through sunset at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Chino Hills on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) The temple at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir comes to life in vibrant colors as guests celebrate Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 7Visitors pose for a family photo during Diwali celebration at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Los Angeles in Chino Hills on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. (File photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG) Expand The lights often seen in the Diwali Festival are a symbol of dispelling dark over light, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and renewal and rejuvenation, Patel said. This year’s celebration theme is one of community and hope. Diwali also lands a few days before Nov. 5 Election Day, which Patel called “ironic, but great” during a contentious election season. “This is an important moment for our nation as we grapple with societal issues like inequality, mental health crises and environmental changes. The teachings of Diwali are more relevant than ever.” The free weekend-long event also encourages community service and giving. Attendees can make care kits for the unhoused, or participate in a bone marrow and stem cell registry or a holiday food drive. There will be a Medicare enrollment booth and a kids’ activity zone and carnival. New to this year’s event is a theatrical production from the temple’s youth members. Information booths will help explain Diwali customs to attendees of the public, who are all welcome to the mandir, Patel said. Other traditions within the Diwali festival include henna and mehndi booths, diya or oil lamp-lighting, mandala and rangoli art, and cultural performances. Beginning Friday, the three-day western Hindu tradition of Annakut — when vegetarian foods are displayed in front of sacred images, as a devotional food offering — will also ring in the Hindu New Year. Related links Young Black and Indian women share an identity with Kamala Harris — some are beaming, while others sit at a crossroads with her stance on Gaza Is Usha Vance’s Hindu identity an asset or a liability to the Trump-Vance campaign? Orange County’s Indian community celebrates the 75th Republic Day Chino Hills mandir celebrates Diwali, the Festival of Lights Hindu place of worship inaugurated in Chino Hills Children celebrate Diwali festival of lights with performance From Friday through Sunday evening, the spectacular mandir light and sound shows will be every 30 minutes, starting at 6:30 p.m. through 8 p.m. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is at 15100 Fairfield Ranch Rd. in Chino Hills. Entry is free, and tickets to carnival rides and food are available for purchase. For more information, visit bapsladiwali.org/festival.