Diwali is the Hindu five-day festival of lights. The festival, which coincides with the Hindu New Year, celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil; light over darkness; knowledge over ignorance; hope over despair.

Mela is a public event that is organised to celebrate a special occasion

Aylesbury celebrates this festival of lights for the first time in the centre of town. The team at Holy Cow Community Events invites you to come along with your friends and families, to what will be a fantastic additions to the town’s social calendar.  In the first year we will be making a contribution to the Mayor’s chosen charity “Inspire All”

Entertainment

We are very lucky to have local talent RajD, who will be enchanting us with his mellow warming tones – which will be much needed for the autumnal weather – with a variety of Indian covers.  RajD, a vocalist, who was born and brought up in Lucknow, India, got his initial taleem in Lucknow. His singing career started off while he was in Mumbai, doing stage shows there. In England, he has performed for over 17 years in various Melas, stage shows Gigs and private shows. The winner of ‘Luton Mela talent Quest Contest’, Raj not only entertains his audience with the evergreen Kishore Kumar songs but also sings various other recent and yesteryear songs from Bollywood films, Ghazals and Bhangra numers. RajD will entertain us by taking us to the Golden era of Bollywood, Bhangra and Bangla songs for a truly memorable day.

We also will be in the presence of Raju Takodra who will be demonstrating how to play the indian classical Tabla.  He has been practising for over 25 years. He is well known also a Aylesbury resident and attends many community events sharing his talents. and you may have come across him doing demonstrations in local schools.  Do come and have a go and find out more about lessons in these instruments if it sparks a yearning for learning.

At this mela, you will be able to enjoy vocal performers, have a go at playing the table and dance with Jay Kumar to build up an appetite for the mouth watering food that is going to be of offer.

From Jyoti’s North Indian street food stall serving up Gol Guppas aka Panipuri a small crispy puri stuffed with chick peas, potatoes and a spicy blend of water, designed to be eaten in one mouth full to avoid a mess. Other popular dishes will include Pakora, Samosa, Chickpeas. Chai Tea, and indian sweets will be available for those with a sweet tooth, I mean you cannot have a mela without Chai and sweets.

There will be live Dosa making by KK Catering bringing your flavours from the south of India and Meat grill and Tandoor by Dawat

The Henna Den

I recall over three decades ago, on a visit to India, picking henna leaves, leaving them to dry in the sun, using a pestle and mortar to grind them once dried then passing the powder through a fine muslin to get the pure powder, which we would then add water to make a paste and fill a home made cone (similar to cake icing cones) to create beautiful patterns on my hands. I was never any good at this, but loved the smell and colour of henna, which grew darker over three days and that really fascinates me even today.

Aylesbury’s 1^st Diwali Mela has a space labelled The Henna Den. Housed in this space you will find the very creative Jiten Mistry who enjoys making people smile not just as a person but through his work and passion as a henna artist. “Jit the artist” has had over 15 year career in finance (much like me) and has since 2015 followed his heart and allowed his creative side to spread its wings and finds himself doodling with henna patterns. My motto love what you do, and do what you love, and thats exactly what he is doing.

Also in this space you will find local Mehndi artist Shruthi Sridharan, I came across this lovely lady recently when suddenly it occurred to me on the eve of my 25th wedding anniversary, that I have organised everything for the party, except to have my hands adorned with Mehndi (henna), a must for any wedding related celebration for the woman and her friends in question. I called upon my good friend Rita B who is the person you call upon when the phrase comes to mind “if anyone can, she/he can…” and as good friends goes she found and fetched me Shruthi who completed the adornment of a bride ready to retake her vows.

Indian Head Massage aka Champi- one of the raffle prizes by Harleen Beauty Box

Indian head massage is an ancient therapeutic treatment that has been practiced in India for thousands of years, and is incredibly relaxing. Part of the Hindu health care practice of Ayurveda, Indian head massage focuses on your head, neck and shoulders. It is a deep massage, which uses a variety of pressure and techniques that tap into your seven “‘chakras” or paths of energy and encourage healing and balance in your whole body.

here is a link to an article written by The Good Spa Guide about this treatment known in India as “Champi”

Raffle prizes – Holy Cow Community Events team are working tirelessly to canvass and collect lots and lots of raffle prizes to give your ticket a chance to win something, so far these are the confirmed prizes:

• £250 gift voucher to spend at Holy Cow Home
• Signed copy ofAtul Kochhar‘s cook book
• Buckingham Palace Champagne – Kasa-tec
• Afternoon tea for two – Tillys Cafe
• Half term – learn Hindi, Gujrati or Punjabi – PHG Teaching
• Indian Head Massage – Harleen Beauty Box
• Usbourne Book – Suki’s Bookshelf
• 1 hour personal training session and personalised training plan – Mark Westall
• £20 Voucher to eat at – The Works
• £50 Voucher to eat at – Frankie & Bennies Aylesbury
• Eye Lash and Eye Brow Tint – Tan & Beauty Rehab 
• Stirling silver earrings – Hester & Clark Fine Jewellers
• Ukulele – Aylesbury Music Shop
• Wine Bottle Gift Set – Laithwaites Wine
• £50 voucher – Nu-sight Opticians x4
• £25 Gift Voucher – Rocky & Kook
• £20 meal voucher Mendoza
• £50 worth Hamper filled with M&S products from Bartletts Residential Care Home
• One month family membership of Stoke Mandeville stadium– Gym, Swimming, Group classes, Tennis Courts, Athletics track
• 25% Discount Coupon to Dine with Bindaas BBQ
• 30 minute Flying experience departing from North Weald Aerodrome, Essex
• 4 tickets for Aylesbury Waterside Theatreopening night Snow White and seven dwarfs
• £40 Gift Card from Toni & Guy Aylesbury
• £15 x 2 Gift Card from Stylersof Aylesbury
• 2 tickets to the Roald Dahl Museum
• 2 children’s toys and babywalker from Tesco
• Raj at Wendover
• 1 day family entry to Waddesdon manor (2 adults, 3 children)

Diwali Mela Programme

Media

Hear BBC3 Counties presenter Yasmeen Khan talk to us about Aylesbury Diwali Mela – Sunday 24th September (last 10 minutes of the show)

Stay in touch with details about the event on our Facebook Events Page and use the #aylesburymela on social media!