Care home residents celebrated Diwali over the weekend with an array of traditional activities.

Residents at Chalfont Lodge, in Chalfont St Peter, filled the home with diyas, small oil lamps lit to welcome Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, and created beautiful paper decorations to mark the festival of lights.

Physiotherapist Mansukh Chander and physiotherapist assistant Pedro Bras also created a rangoli with coloured sand to celebrate the Hindu festival, which signifies the triumph of good over evil.

The day was organised by the physiotherapy team to help improve residents’ hand dexterity and coordination, while enjoying the festival.

Residents dressed in their finest saris, while head chef Greg Gadziala prepared traditional Indian dishes including spicy samosas, crispy bhajis and papadums with lime pickle and chutneys, followed by traditional Indian sweets such as laddoo and barfi.

Raj Boodhoo, general manager at Chalfont Lodge, said: “To celebrate Diwali at the home was fantastic, the colourful glow of the lamps created a very wonderful atmosphere and our physiotherapy team excelled themselves– everyone had a fantastic time.”