Bacolod City, the “City of Smile” is now ready for the first celebration of “Diwali Festival” that will last up to 3-days starting from November 3 – 5, 2013. The said festival is expected to promote tourism industry in the city of Bacolod as tourism capital of Western Visayas and to contribute economic progress not only to the city of smile but to the entire province of Negros as well.

The celebration of Diwali Festival is an initiative of Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella’s Administration and Diwali Festival Chairman Hares Chugani. According to Chugali, the celebration is something different, something new to Bacoleños with promising very unique experience with a touch of MassKara. Events during the celebration are categorized into different activities such; Religious, Food Fiesta and Musical celebration that described the cultural heritage of India to the City of Bacolod.

Diwali 2013 will start officially on Sunday, November 13 by giving traditional visit to the Sikh Temple at 9:00 by the Filipino-Indians. The next event of the first day of celebration is the opening of the Little Indian Bazaar at L’Fisher Ripples 2 & 3 at exactly 11:00AM. The first day event will be ended by a buffet with traditional & classical Indian music and modern dances at the same place at L’Fisher Ripples that will start immediately at 7:00PM.

Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights celebrated for five-days, which usually starts on “Dhanteras” the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna paksha which being interpreted (dark fortnight) of the Hindu calendar. It is the Hindus one of the most important festival of the year and is traditionally celebrated by the families in home by performing traditional activities.