The vibrant festival of Diwali, known widely as the Hindu festival of lights, symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. This year, the celebration is drawing thousands to suburban Bartlett, Illinois, for a day-long event.

Tuesday’s gathering is set to welcome nearly 12,000 attendees to a local Hindu temple, where they will partake in the festivities of Diwali, also affectionately called the Festival of Lights. Event organizers emphasize the importance of unity during the celebration, believing that light shines its brightest when people come together.

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The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, with its intricately designed interior, glows warmly under the light of countless candles. As visitors stream into the temple, they engage in prayer and expressions of gratitude, adding a spiritual dimension to the occasion.

For many of those celebrating, Diwali represents more than just a festival; it is a deeply meaningful time to reflect on inner light and communal harmony.

For those observers, Diwali is more than a festival.

“Diwali is a celebration of goodness, of knowledge over evil and ignorance,” Mauktik Dave said.

Dave says BAPS Mandir has one of the largest Diwali celebrations in the Midwest.

There are interactive displays and activities, as well as a giant offering of food, donated by members of the temple.

“This mountain of food is also a symbol of gratitude, a symbol of offering our gratitude, our devotion to god on this new year,” Dave said.

And every year, celebrations revolve around a theme.

This year, it’s harmony in unity, highlighting the power of togetherness and peace in a time of deepening divisions across the country.

“It’s important to remember that despite how dark the days can get, there’s always some form of light to find. It’s just up to us to either make the change, rather than expecting someone else to change,” Keval Amin said.

Amin and Janki Patel return to the temple every year for Diwali celebrations, saying it helps restore their outlook on the future.

“Being able, like I said, to sit with people of different background and really learn where we’re all from can really alleviate that darkness we may feel,” Patel said.

Diwali celebrations started over the weekend and will wrap up later this week.