Everything You Need to Know About the 2024 Diwali Music and Arts Festival
In a few short days, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden is set to host our first celebration of Diwali, the festival of lights! Experience the magic of Indian culture with a day full of activities, including traditional dance performances, henna artists, local music, a buzzing market, delicious Indian cuisine, a kids puppet show telling the story of Ramayana, and much more! A beautiful display of lights will symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. All are welcome!
Expect a day full of culture and joy, whether you are familiar with Diwali or this is a new festivity to explore, “Diwali at the Garden” will be great fun celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
The event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 26th from 12 – 8 p.m.
Photo by Will Nelson
WHY DIWALI?
“We decided to celebrate Diwali in the garden because of its connection to nature,” says Michelle Israel, Director of Exhibitions, “Diwali tells the story of the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, and it is celebrated during the Hindu lunisolar months. In many cultural holidays, the observation of the cycles of the Earth plays an important role, involving flowers and other natural elements as well.”
The exhibitions team wanted to host a cultural event that would give our large Hindu community in Richmond an opportunity to come together and celebrate, as well as to invite those interested in learning more about it.
ACTIVITIES
Artist Ruchi Gupta is bringing the artistic and cultural components for the day: an original leather-crafted shadow puppet show from India that will tell us the story of Diwali, a curated artisan market with amazing vendors and henna tattoo artists.
Watch local artists and volunteers create stunning Mandana-style Rangoli patterns using rice paste. Experience this traditional art form’s unique designs and learn about its significance in celebrating joy and prosperity.
We are working with local musicians who are bringing different forms of entertainment: Prabir Mehta and his trio, Nayan, Sravani Kameswari, a Bharatanatyam dance performance put on by Priti Patil and students, a Rajasthani Ghumar Folk Dance, Bollywood dancers, Bollywood Songs with Anirudh Cheruvu, and more!
Photo by Will Nelson
SCHEDULE AND GARDEN LOCATIONS
Grace Arents Garden
- Diwali Market
- Henna Artists
- Bharatanatyam: 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- Sravani: 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Puppet Show: 3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- Nayan: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Rajasthan Ghumar Folk Dance: 5:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
- Prabir Trio: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.
- Bollywood/Anirudh Show: 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
FOOD
- Indian cuisine: Khushbus Kay’s Kitchen
- Lewis Ginter Grab ‘n go options & desserts
ADMISSION
Regular Garden Admission will get you into the festival while also giving you full access to the many gardens and beautiful places to check out at Lewis Ginter. Purchase day-of at the Garden’s Robins Visitors Center or online here.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DIWALI
Want to know more? Visit Raising World Children to learn about the story of Ramayana and the traditional leather puppets that will be used to depict the tale during our Diwali festival.