(FOX40.COM) -- Sunday afternoon, thousands of people across Sacramento joined together to celebrate Diwali -- the Hindu festival of lights. This holiday celebrates unity, positivity and gratitude.

FOX40 attended the vibrant event to learn more and spoke with event organizers and attendees like Paragi Patel.

"Where there is unity, there is light," Patel said.

Diwali encapsulates a vast array of themes including the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

"[Diwali is] a festive time when all families come together," Patel said. "It's a time to celebrate with your family."

More than 3,500 people across the Sacramento area came together this year for the event at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Sacramento. For some communities, Diwali signifies the

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