A look inside Condé Nast Traveller’s sparkly Diwali celebration in London, in partnership with Cartier

On Friday, 10 October 2025, Condé Nast Traveller once again welcomed Bollywood stars, musicians, and entrepreneurs to the annual Diwali celebration, in partnership with Cartier. This year, the event – which has become one of London’s most sought-after invitations – took place at one of the capital’s most glamorous hotels, The Dorchester, which was decked out in all of its glitziest finery for the occasion.

Laurent Feniou, managing director of Cartier, with Neelam Gill

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Anoushka Shankar strikes a pose at The Dorchester, this year’s venue

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Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is the celebration of light over darkness. Each year, friends and families light up their homes as a way of symbolising new beginnings and the power of good over evil, coming together to celebrate.

Condé Nast Traveller global editorial director Divia Thani, Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty and Laurent Feniou

Hara Kaur

The Cartier bellboys greet guests at the doors of The Dorchester

Guests arriving at The Dorchester – dressed in their sparkliest attire, of course – were greeted by Cartier bellboys, who ushered them into the entrance where hundreds of candles set the scene. The guest list was as star-studded as ever, with VIPs including film stars, musicians, entrepreneurs and models. We spotted Anoushka Shankar, Arooj Aftab, Neelam Gill, Akshata Murty, Rishi Sunak, Nic Kaufmann, Princess Gauravi Kumari and many more dazzling in gorgeous ensembles as they floated along the hallway into the ballroom.

Sian Gabari twirls on the dance floor

Moeez Ali

Rahi Chadda and Saffron Vadher

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Guests sipped on flutes of Cartier Champagne and cocktails created in collaboration with Godawan, an Indian single malt whisky renowned for its dedication to supporting conservation efforts in Rajasthan. Favourite tipples included the Alwar Old Fashioned, made using Godawan 01 PX Sherry Cask, mixed with saffron-infused honey, cardamom, and a dash of cacao bitters, and Spiced Amber, a warm blend of Godawan 02 Cherry Cask with lime, agave, and ginger.

Poorna Bell, Anita Bhagwandas, Akanksha Kamath, Shahili Gomes-Mccoy, Mira Manek and Eshita Kabra

Jack Lai

Chef Chet Sharma from BiBi’s – one of CNT’s all-time favourite restaurants in the capital – provided a menu of exceptional food. Roaming around the Dorchester Ballroom were platters of canapés, including shakargandi malpua (an Indian blini, made from sweet potato) topped with a dollop of pachdi (yoghurt) and Caviar; perfectly crispy murgh methi pakoras; sabudana kurkure (fluffy fritters made from potato and tapioca); delicious vegetable momos and mushroom and chickpea kebabs in a steamed bun.

Suhel Seth, Nora Fatehi, Rohini Iyer and Larissa Bonesi

Hara Kaur

Surrounded by breathtaking florals from Blooming Haus, guests stopped at various stations of mouth-watering food, from steaming dishes of idii (fermented rice cakes) topped with lobster and dosas brimming with slow-roasted duck to moreish chilli-cheese kichdi. Later in the evening, a fabulous dessert trolley arrived, serving up classic BiBi dishes such as coconut and saffron kulfis, dipped to order in either Pondicherry or white chocolate.