On 2 November 2024, UK Hindu Cultural Association (UKHCA) celebrated our annual Kali Puja festival at the Alexandra Suite, Swanley. Like every year, the occasion was marked with much pomp and grandeur echoing our reverence and pious enthusiasm for Ma Kali, the goddess known to be the supreme manifestation of feminine power and energy. The rituals were conducted with strict adherence to Hindu traditions including customs such as lighting up of 108 lamps depicting the victory of good over evil. Our volunteers and well wishers made sure that the festive spirit was enjoyed by one and all. The blockbuster Kali Puja meal of ‘luchi, aloordum, mangsho bhaat’ was an instant hit. This year we also conducted a very responsible and well coordinated display of fireworks where free sparklers were provided to all the little attendees by UKHCA. It was a goodwill gesture which was enjoyed immensely by the tiny tots while our volunteers kept a mindful eye on them.

Be it from pre event publicity and meticulous planning, setting up the hall and decorations, food arrangements, arranging the fireworks and then wrapping up while looking forward to the next year of celebrations – our volunteers and the entire UKHCA community deserves a huge round of applause and appreciation for their efforts, punctuality and overall camaraderie. The infectious community spirit with which we ended the celebrations this year will keep us in high spirits for days to come.