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Diwali

The Festival of Lights — Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and the Indian New Year. Lakshmi Puja, Rangoli art, and celebration activities related to this popular Hindu festival are also covered in this topic. SCIS no. 1807262

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Rangoli art on display

Rangoli art on display

View of Rangoli art on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations, held in Aotea Square, Auckland Central.

Diwali /Deepavali in New Zealand

Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated in October or November each year. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days.

Indian crafts at Diwali festival

Indian crafts at Diwali festival

View of traditional Indian crafts, showing rangoli patterned decorations, on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations.

Traditional Indian crafts

Traditional Indian crafts

View of traditional Indian crafts, on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations.

Hare Krishna group performing at Diwali

Hare Krishna group performing at Diwali

The story of Diwali being performed as a colourful, English scripted drama by members of the Hare Krishna Group at the Waitakere Indian Association Diwali 2014 celebrations.

Honouring goddess Lakshmi

Honouring goddess Lakshmi

Prayers and an offering ritual at a 2012 Diwali celebration.

Indian jewellery at Diwali festival

Indian jewellery at Diwali festival

View of traditional Indian jewelry, on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations.

Diwali festival

Diwali festival

It's India's biggest and most important festival, Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights - a Hindu celebration of the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil. The Auckland Diwali Festi...

Diwali report

Jason Moon covers a weekend of Diwali celebrations.

World at night: India

World at night: India

Our correspondent in India, pop. 1,170,938,000 (est. 2010) is Bangalore-based, Shoba Narayan... festivals of India - tonight, the celebration of Diwali - the festival of lights which marks the vict...

Diwali 2010 celebrations

The 2010 Diwali function organised by Indian Cultural Society was held on 24th October at the the Founders Theatre. New Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardakar was the chief guest. The 2010 Diwali function ...

Diwali celebrations

Article about the annual Diwali celebrations in Hamilton.

Indians: religion and kin

The growth of Indian religions and celebrations in New Zealand.

Research papers

Whose Diwali is it?

Factors that have transformed Diwali including support by Auckland council.

Performers at Diwali 2013

Performers at Diwali 2013

View of performers backstage at the 2013 Waitakere Indian Association Diwali celebrations.

Merchandise stand at Diwali

Merchandise stand at Diwali

View of traditional Indian merchandise on display at 2014 Diwali celebrations.

Diwali

These children dressed in traditional costume for dance performances at Auckland’s Diwali celebrations in 2004. The festival of Diwali is now a popular public celebration in several New Zealand cit...

Hindu prayers at Diwali 2012

Hindu prayers at Diwali 2012

Students performing traditional Hindu prayers and Diwali songs at Diwali 2012 celebration.

Indian decorative pieces at Diwali

Indian decorative pieces at Diwali

View of traditional Indian decorations on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations.

Mojaris (Indian shoes) on display at Diwali

Mojaris (Indian shoes) on display at Diwali

View of traditional Indian shoes (mojaris), on display at the 2015 Diwali festival celebrations.

Being an Indian New Zealander

In this filmed interview, Iyer, an Indian woman living in New Plymouth, talks of the need to explain some Indian cultural practices to other New Zealanders, particularly children.

Indian Cultural Society programme

Indian Cultural Society programme

Dr Ghani's interview

Interview with Dr. Ghani , President of Waikato Ethnic Council about the Diwali function organised by the Indian Cultural Society on 26/10/08

Indian immigrants in New Zealand

Indian immigrants in New Zealand

Indian Cultural Society - history

The origins of Diwali celebrations in the Waikato.

Colourful Diwali dresses

Colourful Diwali dresses

Pongal Day and Deepavali Day photos

Photos of Pongal and Diwali taken by the President of the Tamil Society of Waikato.

Dancers at the 2015 Diwali festival

Dancers at the 2015 Diwali festival

View of performers at Auckland Diwali Festival 2015 celebrations held in Aotea Square, Auckland Central. Women are wearing traditional Indian saris and jewelry.

LIH Diwali 2012, TRMC event 17

LIH Diwali 2012, TRMC event 17

Sattriya dance

Indian music, food and dance lit up Wellington recently when a renowned dance troupe from northeast India helped celebrate the annual Diwali Festival of Lights. Lynda meets award winning internatio...

Diwali quotes in English and Hindi to express wishes to friends and family.

Food eaten during Diwali.

Performer at Diwali

Diwali is an ancient Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the new year.

Lantern use to celebrate Diwali.

Diwali – The festival of light

This video explains what Diwali means for different groups of people in India.

Diwali meaning, festivities and traditions.

Diwali - festival of Lights

Celebration of Diwali that includes good food, fireworks, coloured sand, and lamps.

Diwali Auckland 2012

Henna being applied to a hand during Diwali.

Effects of fireworks in Diwali

Noise and air pollution at Diwali.

Let’s Celebrate Diwali

Lesson plan to help comprehension and celebration of Diwali.

What clothes are worn for Diwali?

Special clothing is traditionally worn for the Hindu festival of lights called Diwali.

Diwali lights up Auckland's streets

Thousands of people gathered in central Auckland today to celebrate the Diwali festival.

Diwali preparations and cleaning

Tips and advice on how to clean and prepare your house for Diwali.

Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

Lakshmi puja or the worship of the goddess of wealth and its significance.

Lamps lit for the Diwali festival.

A gallery of items related to craft ideas for Diwali.

Diwali recipes – sweets and snacks

Sweets, snacks and main course recipes for Diwali.

Rangoli designs

A gallery of items on Rangoli (colourful traditional art) for Diwali.

Fire safety during Diwali

Precautions for children and adults when lighting of fireworks during Diwali.

Diwali in Adelaide

Diwali in Adelaide.

The meaning of Hinduism, the history, and its festivals.

Significance of Deepam

The significance and place of diyas (lamps) in the celebration of Diwali.

Teaching kids the story of Diwali

Lesson plan covering social science, maths, art and literacy.

Leicester Diwali celebrations

Article about the biggest Diwali celebration outside India.

Indian Diwali henna designs

During Diwali Indian women and, girls wear Mehndi/henna on their palms, shoulders, full hands and legs.

Spiritual significance of Diwali

An understanding of the spiritual preparation of oneself for Diwali.

Diwali Festival of Lights

Asia New Zealand Foundation celebrates Diwali in New Zealand.

Tradition of fireworks

Fireworks have become an important part of Diwali celebrations.

Facts in brief about Diwali and celebration around the world.

Slideshow of images of people enjoying Diwali.

Essential guide to celebrating Diwali

This guide deals with all aspects of Diwali and a chance to enjoy the festival with a family.

Five days of Diwali

Five days of Diwali, their significance and links to legends and traditions.

Story of Diwali

Cartoon animation of the story of Diwali.

A photograph of a hand with a henna decoration.

Indian classical dance

Indian classical dance

Most cultures in the world have their own form of dance, performed with traditional music and costumes.

Diwali downunder

Looks at the transformation of Diwali by various organisations as an expression of self-identity.

The Hindus Hogmanay

The Hindus Hogmanay

This 1919 article mentions Hogmanay and Diwali, two cultural festivals that celebrate New Year.

Woman preparing Indian food

Woman preparing Indian food

Diwali is not complete without its special cuisine! Weeks before the actual day, the women in the family will prepare traditional delicacies for family and friends. These sweets will be exchanged o...

EPIC contains a number of databases with useful information related to New Zealand history and first contact between Polynesian, Māori and Pakeha including the Bridget Williams Books collections.

A Jungle holiday

Book extract that mentions the Diwali festival.

Diwali –in pictures

Diwali also known as Deepavali and the festival of lights is an ancient Hindu festival.

Hindu woman holding a lamp

Hindu woman holding a lamp

Hinduism is one of the world’s oldest religions. Originating in India, it has around a billion followers. Indians came to New Zealand in the late 18th century. Most of the Indians came from the Ind...

Diwali celebrations in Fiji

A number of flamboyant Hindu festivals are organized by Fijian-Indian community throughout the year.

Hindu festivals

A list of the major Hindu festivals including Diwali.

What’s eaten at Diwali?

Diwali, the festival of lights is celebrated by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs.

Diwali essay and poems

Poems, an animated multilingual rhyme and an essay for an eco-friendly Diwali.

Ten facts about Diwali…

Discover the fascinating festival of lights.