The festival of Diwali parade returns to Chester city centre on Saturday, October 11.

The Hindu festival of lights is celebrated each year in Chester with the help of the Sanjhi Indian Association who organise the celebrations supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council and an Awards For All lottery grant.

From noon the colourful parade leaves the Town Hall Square, winding through the city centre streets with a traditional Indian dance display taking place on Eastgate Street at 12.20pm.

The parade will then continue on to the Guildhall in Watergate Street where there will be free workshops taking place between 1-3pm.

Workshops include rangoli Diwali art cards, diya Indian candles, peacock art, henna hand painting, Indian head massage, face painting and Indian food tasting.

Cllr Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and economy, said: “The Diwali Festival brings a party atmosphere to the streets of Chester and the music, dancing and colour is truly infectious.

“This festival of light grows each year helping to promote a better cultural understanding of the rich diverse community we have here in west Cheshire.

“It is great fun for all the family to enjoy and I would encourage everyone to join in the celebrations as we welcome the fifth Festival of Diwali Parade in Chester.”

Sarika Kaushik, chairwoman of Sanjhi Indian Association, said: “Diwali is generally described as a Hindu festival and it is truly an Indian festival that cuts across religions and different beliefs.

“It is an international festival that is celebrated across the world.

“We feel proud that we have been able to bring it to Cheshire and that the Chester Diwali parade is becoming an established annual event, a welcome addition to the cultural richness of the city.”

The Sanjhi Indian Association runs regular Indian dance classes in Hoole Community Centre every Sunday from 3-5pm. It is suitable for all age groups and everyone is welcome to attend.

The vision of forming a new association for the Indian people living in Chester and surrounding was put forward by Reetu Kohli in early 2010.

Sanjhi Indian Association was founded in May 2010 by Reetu Kohli, Sarika Kaushik, Dr Archana Sarpal and Dr Rani Zachariah with the help of Chester Halton and Warrington Racial Equality Commission (CHAWREC).

The association is made up of people of all ages who enjoy making new friends, meeting new ones and simply enjoy spending time together at one of their meetings or events.

In the recent past, the association organised a gala performance at Chester Zoo for the opening of the Diamond Jubilee Quarter Gate by The Queen.

The SIA also held a film show with more than 125 people attending followed by a sumptuous Indian dinner.

Diwali, also known as the “festival of lights”, is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated in autumn every year.

The festival spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

The festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five day period, but the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest, new moon night of the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartik.

Diwali is an official holiday in places such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago.