Explore Dashehra Diwali Mela This October

One of the most incredible things about Manchester is that it enjoys such a wide mixture of cultures and peoples. This includes many Hindu people who, this October, will be celebrating the festivals of Dashehra and Diwali.

Dashehra is a Hindu festival held on the 10^th day of the waxing moon during the Hindu month of Ashvin, which is around September or October. The festival celebrates the victory of Lord Ram – hero of the Ramayan – over the 10-headed demon king Ravan, who kidnapped the wife of Lord Ram, Sita. The legend says that Ram, his brother Lakshman, and an army of monkeys waged war on Ravan for 10 days before Lord Ram struck the killing blow.

Help Us Celabrate

Diwali is the festival of lights, held to celebrate the end of darkness – or ignorance – and the birth of new knowledge symbolised through lights. Diwali celebrations are focused on lights, lamps, and fireworks to celebrate knowledge and hope for mankind. Now you can explore Dashehra and Diwali for yourself through the Dashehra Diwali Mela.

Dashehra Diwali Mela promises to be an action-packed day of food, crafts, live music, and dance. The night will be brought to an epic close as Albert Square is lit up with fireworks and special effects for the finale; the show A Blessing From Durga put on by the creative arts and pyrotechnics company Walk the Plank.

Dashehra Diwali Mela has been put together by the Indian Association Manchester and will feature a wealth of live entertainment across two stages and many street performers across Albert Square including the Global Grooves dancers and musicians, the Bollywood Brass Band, Bhangra dance from Nachda Sansaar, classical dance from the Annapurna Dance Company, and music by Channi Singh OBE, Mona Singh, and more.

The event affords visitors a great chance to get their hands on something authentic Indian food, jewellery, and clothes, to arts and crafts for Diwali. Bring the kids along and let them enjoy some workshops of their own. There are even some for adults!

The Festival of Lights will live up to its name as a lantern procession is set off from the Manchester Central Library. Around 2000 children from schools in the Greater Manchester area will make and carry lanterns. The procession will be joined by characters such as the Great Crested Crane from The Lantern Company.

The grand finale – which has been put together by Walk the Plank – will include live music, incredible sounds and lights, pyrotechnics, and other special effects. There’s no better way to experience Diwali and Dashehra then with the Mela event this October. Just as there’s no better way to experience the Mela than in a car or minibus from ST Minibus Hire. We’ve got buses and cars of every size and will take you to and from the event. Party as hard as you want for as long as you want safe in the knowledge you have a ride home waiting for you. Get in touch today to learn more about our rates and arrange travel to the Dashehra Diwali Mela!