Diwali celebrations at Kedleston Hall

Lighting up Kedleston for Diwali

Between 21 October – 17 November, and as a result of visitor feedback, the team of talented staff and volunteers have expanded Diwali celebrations across Kedleston Hall creating a joyful experience of light and togetherness.

Visitors across all communities locally and beyond are warmly invited to join us in celebration of Diwali at Kedleston Hall this 2024.

• There will be traditional decorations of hundreds of hand-crafted marigolds (used for festive occasions in India) in a striking contrast of blue and orange as well as diyas (small clay oil lamps) lighting the way throughout. In the Hall - Caesar’s Hall (ground floor), Marble Hall, Dressing Room, Dining Room, Drawing Room and Library (first floor - accessible by stairs only) will be lit with light projections of rangoli patterns (colourful traditional patterns created on the floor. Delivered in conjunction with QUAD.)

• The table in the Dining Room will be set for Diwali celebrations bringing to life some of the lamps from Kedleston’s own Museum collection. This is in keeping with Diwali traditionally being a celebration where the whole family come together.

• Visitors can enjoy board games whilst lounging in the historic setting of the Saloon (first floor - accessible by stairs only) in the Hall, bringing in the element of family fun at Diwali time. Bespoke wood crafted versions of Snakes and Ladders (Moksha Patam) and (Ludo Pachisi) - both of which originated in Ancient India - are currently in production.

• Watch a documentary which demonstrates the making of the vibrant hand-crafted marigolds embellishing the Marble Hall. Through work with the Heritage and Art organisation based in Kolkata, India - gifted craftsman produced these sustainable decorations using sholapith flowers (core of the Aeschynomene aspera plant) and an ancient technique passed on through the generations. This film can be seen in the Billiard Room (ground floor).

• Live music events featuring instruments including the Tabla (Indian Drums), are also planned over the Diwali period. On Friday 25 October, experience a live music compilation of the traditional Indian flute (played by Shubham Tageja) and the Indian tabla (played by Mendi Singh). On Saturday 9 November, enjoy live fusion music featuring the Indian Tabla and Harp by Tāla Tarang (meaning Rhythm Waves).

• Kedleston’s chickpea curry. To reflect Kedleston’s historic connection with India, we are delighted to share a delicious family recipe of Simran Sandhu (Senior Programming &Partnerships Officer at Kedleston). It uses authentic spices, and a secret ingredient held dear by the trust - tea bags! This is now on the menu at a National Trust café near you. It comes with rice or flatbread and is coupled with a vegetable samosa.

About Diwali

Known to many as the ‘Festival of Light’ Diwali is the most celebrated festival in India and is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs. The festival, which means different things to different religions and people, is celebrated over five days in late autumn (the start date changes yearly and is worked out using a calendar based on the cycles of the moon.) Many people light diyas and entrances of homes are decorated with rangolis.

Kedleston connections to India

George Nathaniel Curzon (1859–1925) of Kedleston Hall, commonly known as Lord Curzon was appointed Viceroy of India in 1899. The family moved to Calcutta (Kolkata) and lived at Government House, a palace coincidentally modelled after Kedleston, during this period. The Museum at Kedleston has many South Asian objects (owing to Lord Curzon’s travels) and there are several objects in the collection that reflect this history.

Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous Diwali. May the light of the diyas guide you towards the path of happiness and success.

दिवाली की शुभ कामनाएँ

ਬੰਦੀ ਛੋੜ ਦਿਵਸ ਦੇ ਅਫਸਰ ਤੇ ਲੱਖ ਲੱਖ ਵਧਾਈ