The festival of Diwali celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains falls on Tuesday 28 October 2008. Southall is one place where this "Festival of Lights" cannot be overlooked, as the town has tens of thousands Hindus and Sikhs.

School children will not need to take any extra holidays, as they will already be enjoying their Autumn half term holidays.

One of the easily noticeable things is the sheer number of small lighted candles (divas) on the front garden walls.

Some individuals even cover the whole front of their house with Christmas lights, many days in advance.

The sky will be lit up in the evening and at night by a constant barrage of colorful, spectacular and loud fireworks.

Hindus celebrate the return of Rama and Sita to Ayodhya after their 14-year exile. It occurs on the fifteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartika.

Sikhs celebrate the release from prison of the sixth guru, Hargobind Singh in 1619.

Jains celebrate it as the moment, the founder of Janism Lord Mahavira reached a state called Moksha (Nirvana, or eternal bliss).

The festival starts at about 5pm on Tuesday 28th October and ends on evening of Wednesday 29th October.

Although there will be no road closures, there will be traffic delays around the main roads in Southall. There will also be delays in the minor roads off the major roads.

The Greater London Authority organised the Diwali in the (Trafalgar) Square celebrations on Sunday 19 October 2008.

Last year Diwali was celebrated on Friday 9th November 2007.