Thousands celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights, in Lilburn

Share Add Us On Google Add as a preferred source on Google ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Thousands of people gathered at BAPS in Lilburn to celebrate Diwali, the festival of lights. Families and friends dressed in sparkling traditional attire for the festivities. “I like to think of Diwali as a way in which how can we be the light to uplift the world? How can we go back to our families and communities and bring back that goodness, that compassion, and that joy to others?” said Dr. Umangi Shukla, a BAPS public affairs volunteer. “Personally I always think about professional and personal goals, relationships with family and our community, and just finding better ways to serve the family and the community,” said Dr. Jigar Patel, a BAPS media volunteer. Fireworks, lights and sound filled the night sky, symbolizing Diwali’s themes of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. The colors also represented the diversity of cultures that celebrate the festival. “The real celebration comes from lighting the light, the Diya’s within ourselves. Right. So we’re all coming here for the new year, having blessings for our prosperous future, thinking ahead of how we can not only be better for ourselves, our families, and for our communities as well,” Shukla said. “But I think the values of Diwali are universal. They cross religious backgrounds. There’s one for all communities to learn from, and that’s what can we bring from the light ourselves to others,” she added. The festival also recognized an achievement by BAPS children in India, including some child scholars from the U.S. In February, they broke the Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous Hindu text recital, reciting 315 verses entirely from memory. Some of the scriptures were read during Sunday’s celebration. Patel said Diwali is an opportunity to reflect and look ahead. “The ability to get together with family and reflect on the year past and make some promises to ourselves and to our families and community about living a more positive future,” Patel said. “And so these lights represent our putting our best foot forward for the year ahead of us,” he added. The Diwali festival continues Monday, Nov. 9, with the Grand Annakut at BAPS in Lilburn at 1 p.m. Copyright 2026 WANF. All rights reserved.