Family's 'surreal' Diwali and Halloween celebration

The family said they enjoyed celebrating both holidays together

Millions of people joined festivities across the globe on Thursday as Diwali took place.

But in a corner of Nottinghamshire, one family were combining the religious holiday with a love of Halloween.

“It’s been a surreal moment but we’ve had to make it up as we go along!” said mum Jaineeta.

“There’s been food, fireworks, we’ve had our prayers but at the same time we’ll wait for a knock on the door and hand out some sweets, too.”

The unique coincidence of the festival of lights crossing paths with Halloween occurred for the first time this century on Thursday.

The family, from Wollaton, marked the occasion at home, as mum Jaineeta came together with husband Edward, and their two children Dhani and Jaya.

The family carved pumpkins as part of the unique celebration

Edward, 43, said: “Usually for Halloween, I’m the one who stays in and hands out the sweets, while my wife and kids go out with friends and go trick or treating.

“So it’ll be nice to have the family at home tonight for Diwali where they can take part.

"We have a routine that we’ve developed over the years for Diwali but it’s also nice to integrate a bit of Halloween into it as well."

The family enjoyed taking part in Hindu prayers, designing Rangoli patterns and sharing traditional food and fireworks.

But there was still time for pumpkin carving and welcoming trick or treaters.

Jaya, 10, said he was "excited" to be able to celebrate both Halloween and Diwali in the same evening.

'Diwaleen'

Jaya said: “We had a conversation about it and at first it was a bit of a shock because we weren’t going to be taking part in the trick or treating as Diwali was on the same day.

“So we made an agreement as a family that we can still be part of Halloween by giving staying at home and giving out the treats instead.

“It’s exciting because we get to celebrate both parts of the special occasions. We can answer the door for Halloween, see everybody’s costumes while celebrating Diwali and doing Rangoli patterns.”

With the two holidays coinciding, the combination of the occasions has been dubbed Diwaleen by many people on social media.

Diwali, which is celebrated by Sikhs, Hindus and Jains around the world, symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Halloween is also celebrated by people across the world and usually involves dressing up and honouring all things spooky.

Edward added: “The kids didn’t complain too much and I think that’s because they’ve had a pretty good haul in past years and come back with bags full. To have a few less this year is not too much of a big deal.”