The Duchess of Edinburgh attended a reception on the occasion of Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas, at Lancaster House, in London. The event was hosted by Minister of State for South Asia, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon. Diwali is a significant religious festival observed mostly by Hindus but Sikhs and Jains as well. Sikhs celebrate Bandi Chhor Divas, which means 'Prisoner Release Day', which occurs on the same day as Diwali, so the two are combined.