Dancers gather at the end of their performance for the Diwali festivities Saturday evening at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church in Los Alamos. Diwali is the Festival of Lights but also joy, prosperity and happiness. In India, millions of people celebrate Diwali by lighting their homes and streets with colorful lanterns and glowing lamps that for many signify the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance and good over evil. Saturday’s Diwali was truly a happy and joyful occasion with lights, color, beautiful clothing, lively music, energetic dancing and traditional Indian food. And that was just inside. Outside there were fireworks, firecrackers and sparklers that brought squeals of delight to young and old members of the Indian community of Los Alamos and their friends. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Sparklers were passed out to everyone in the parking lot at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church Saturday during the celebration of Diwali by the Indian community of Los Alamos and their friends. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Mary Beth and Bob Stevens at Saturday’s Diwali festivities. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Dr. Aparamite Lahiri-Gupta, right, chats with a friend at the Diwali festivities Saturday evening. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Lots of smiles and beautiful clothing at Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Ramesh Jha and his young daughter at Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Enjoying the Diwali festivities Saturday are, from left, Dr. Madhavi Garimella, Maire O’Neill and Cortni Nucklos. Courtesy photo
Friend socializing before dinner at Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill
Enjoying the company of friends at Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Rao and Madhavi Garimella pose before a colorful backdrop Saturday evening. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Two of the dancers who performed during Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Aditya Shivprasad play the tabla accompanied his wife who played keyboards Saturday evening. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
A group of youngsters gather at the front of the audience to see the dancers. Photo by Maire O’Neill//losalamosreporter.com
Young friends chat during a break in the music and dancing program. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Young dancers entertained participants in the Diwali celebration Saturday evening. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Swati Shivprasad on keyboards entertained the large crowd gathered Saturday evening with her husband Aditya Shivprasad to celebrate Diwali. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Athena Preston dances and plays the violin as part of the entertainment Saturday for Diwali. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Children participate in a drama presentation during Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Mare O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Amrinder Kaur dances Saturday evening. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Diwali is a chance for members of the Indian community in Los Alamos to show off their finery. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Sandip Maurya and his son watch the entertainment. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Lively music and dancing delighted the audience during Saturday’s Diwali festivities in Los Alamos. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
More participants in the Diwali festivities. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
These young dancers had a little help with their performance. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Young dancers have fun performing at Saturday’s Diwali festivities. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Folks of all ages enjoyed the sparklers at Saturday’s Diwali celebration. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Lots of hustle and bustle as attendees prepare to settle down and enjoy a catered dinner. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Editor’s note: Please email me at maire@losalamosreporter.com if you can provide names for those featured in photos.