Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas fall on 8 November

Diwali, the festival of lights, will be celebrated on Sunday 8 November this year, and Birmingham's Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities are beginning to prepare for one of the biggest festivals in the city's calendar.

The five days of Diwali

The wider festival runs over five days, from Dhanteras on 6 November to Bhai Dooj on 10 November. Diwali itself falls on the main day, when homes are lit with diyas, or oil lamps, and families gather to share food and sweets.

What Diwali celebrates

For Hindus, Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Many mark the return of Lord Rama to the city of Ayodhya after his exile, and worship Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and good fortune.

Jains mark Diwali as the anniversary of the moment Lord Mahavira attained moksha, or liberation.

Bandi Chhor Divas

Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas on the same day. It marks the release from prison of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, along with 52 princes. Gurdwaras are lit up and many hold special services and fireworks.

Celebrations in Birmingham

Birmingham has one of the largest Hindu and Sikh populations of any UK city, and celebrations take place at mandirs and gurdwaras across the city, including in Handsworth and along the Soho Road. Community venues, schools and businesses also hold events, and details of public celebrations are usually announced nearer the time.

Firework safety

Diwali falls just after Bonfire Night this year, so there will be plenty of fireworks. The fire service advises people to follow the firework code, keep a safe distance, never go back to a lit firework, and supervise children with sparklers. Fireworks cannot legally be let off after 11pm, except on certain nights including Diwali, when the limit is 1am.

Shopping and sweets

In the weeks before Diwali, shops on streets such as Soho Road, the Stratford Road and Ladypool Road are busy with people buying sweets, clothes, gifts and decorations.