POOLE was lit with colour, music and food to celebrate the Hindu festival of lights.

The BCP Indian community organised its second Diwali celebration event at The Dolphin in Poole on Saturday, October 26.

(Image: NQ)

The event celebrated Indian culture, with stalls selling traditional cuisine, clothing, jewellery and henna designs.

Poonam Paranjpe and Anjali Mavi, the founders of the BCP Indian Community, which now has more than 2000 members, set up the event.

(Image: NQ)

They said: “Diwali is all about love and spreading joy and kindness.

“The whole concept arises from the victory of good over evil, which is what today is all about.”

This was the second year the event has run and Poonam said the number of attendees skyrocketed in 2024.

She said: “This year, we’ve had more stallholders, more decorations and lots more people come along.

“But I will have to say, next year, I think we are going to need a bigger space.”

In addition to stalls, the celebration showcased how Diwali is celebrated, with vibrant performances, including a dance flash mob in the centre of The Dolphin and cultural performances by children.

(Image: NQ)

Anjali added: “We would like to thank The Dolphin as they have always welcomed us and given us a space to celebrate.”