Diwali celebrations take place in Leicester

Thousands of people have been taking part in Diwali celebrations across Leicester

Families and friends across Leicestershire and beyond are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of light.

Thursday marks the special day for 2024, which changes annually according to the Hindu calendar, based on the moon.

In Leicester, which is thought to host some of the biggest celebrations outside of India, "thousands of hours" of preparation have led up to Diwali.

While the city geared up for a public celebration in Belgrave Road, community organisations, temples and households will host their own festivities.

The Shri Swaminarayan temple in Leicester is lit up for Diwali

Visitors to the temple will be greeted by the rangoli art

At the Shri Swaminarayan temple in Gypsy Lane, volunteers have worked day and night to prepare food, decorations and more ready for visitors throughout Diwali and the Hindu new year, which follows on Saturday.

Sanjiv Patel, a spokesperson for the temple, said it was expecting about 16,000 visitors over the Hindu festive season.

Revellers who attended the celebrations along Belgrave Road enjoyed street performances from musicians

The completed work was created by volunteers

At Diwali, some households create traditional rangoli art, made with coloured powders, outside their homes and light tealights, known as divas.

Sweets and gifts are shared with friends and families and people often buy and wear new clothes.

Families and friends gather to pray, eat together and exchange sweets at Diwali

Leicester's annual public celebration took place on Thursday night along Belgrave Road, which has been be closed to traffic.

Although council cutbacks meant the lights switch-on event was cancelled this year, thousands of people were still expected to attend the Diwali day festivities.

Celebrations on Diwali day centred on Belgrave

Leicester City Council reduced Diwali celebrations from two events to one as part of cost-cutting plans

People visited Belgrave Road for food and fireworks on Thursday

On Thursday evening, there was a procession along Belgrave Road, while The Diwali Village in Cossington Street Recreation Ground had a main stage programme from 17:00 to 20:30 GMT, alongside funfair rides, food stalls and a fire garden display.

A fireworks display also took place at 19:30.