RESIDENTS of Flowerdown Care Home Winchester have marked the start of Diwali, also known as “The Festival of Lights”.

To celebrate the Hindu festival, residents helped with making colourful patterned rangoli and lighting ‘diyas’, small oil lamps which are lit to signify the triumph of good over evil. Diwali honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, with the lamps said to help Lakshmi find her way into people’s homes.

Hampshire Chronicle: All dressed up for DiwaliAll dressed up for Diwali (Image: Barchester Healthcare)Head chef Muthu prepared traditional Indian dishes including a range of curries, samosas, bhajis and papadums with lime pickle and chutneys followed by traditional Indian sweets such as laddoo and barfi.

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Netta, a resident at Flowerdown, said: “I love all of the different cultural events that we celebrate here, there’s always something going on.  I especially like the religious festivals from other cultures and sampling the wonderful food.  It makes me feel like I am travelling abroad!”

Claudia Nunes, Flowerdown Care Home’s general manager, said: “To celebrate Diwali at the home was fantastic, the colourful glow of the lamps created a very wonderful atmosphere and our chef made the most delicious dishes – everyone had a fantastic time.”

Flowerdown Care Home on Harestock Road is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers. Flowerdown provides nursing care, residential care and respite care.