Chicago-area Diwali celebration one of largest in Midwest

BARLETT, Ill. (WLS) -- It's the Hindu festival of lights: Diwali celebrates light over darkness and good over evil.

A massive day-long gathering is happening Tuesday in suburban Bartlett.

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At the end of the day, nearly 12,000 people will have come through a Hindu place of worship to celebrate Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights. Organizers say that light shines the brightest when all come together in unity.

The ornate interior of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was bathed in candlelight, as crowds of people filed into the Hindu temple to pray and give thanks.

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.