Festival of Lights – Diwali in Auckland
New Zealand’s Largest City to Celebrate Indian Festival
© Yahan Wu
Oct 5, 2009
The festival is mainly associated with lights as it is called the festival of light. On the day of the festival, diyas (small clay pots filled with oil to signify victory of good over the evil within an individual) are lit in everybody's home irrespective of their social status. The name Diwali signifies 'rows of lighted lamps'.
Diwali is a five-day festival, beginning on the 15th day of the Hindu calendar month of Kartika (Ashwin) and the main day of celebration varies regionally.By the Gregorian calendar, Diwali falls in October or November. In Hinduism, across many parts of India and Nepal, it is the homecoming of Rama after a 14-year exile in the forest and his victory over Ravana.
Auckland Diwali Celebration at Viaduct Harbor
This year, Auckland’s annual Diwali Festival of Lights organized by the Asia New Zealand Foundation will bring an infusion of exciting sounds, spicy aromas and kaleidoscopic colors. See pulsating Bollywood dances, magical Rajasthani puppets performances and overseas performers including a colorful dance troupe from Gujarat.
Spicy Indian curries, sticky jelabi sweets, mango lassis and other delights can be found at the dozens of delicious food stalls from Sat 10 Oct 09 - Sun 11 Oct 09 from 12:00pm – 10:00pm at the Eastern Viaduct Basin, Quay St, Auckland Central.
Diwali Festivities
Diwali marks the beginning of the Hindu and Gujarati New Year and aside from being celebrated with the lighting of lamps and candles, there are also great displays of fireworks. People decorate their home with beautiful diyas and making rangoli (a form of sandpainting decoration) pattern in the courtyard and in front of the gate. They put flowers and mango leaves on their doors and windows. Diyas and candles are placed on rooftops, rooms, and kitchen and even in the bathrooms.
On this day, people worship Lord Ganesha, the foremost of all Hindu Gods and Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. It is a time to exchange gifts and sweets with friends, relatives and neighbors.
To add to the festival of Diwali, fairs (or 'melas') are held throughout India and can be found in many towns and villages. A mela usuallybecomes a market day in the countryside when farmers buy and sell produce. Girls and women dress attractively during the festival and wear colorful clothing and new jewelry, and their hands are decorated with henna designs.
There is a smorgasbord of activities at melas. There are performances by jugglers, acrobats, snake charmers and fortune tellers.and food stalls are set up selling sweet and spicy foods. There are a variety of rides at the fair, which include Ferris wheels and rides on animals such as elephants and camels. Activities for children, such as puppet shows, occur throughout the day.
Diwali Legends
Because India has a wide cultural diversity there are numerous interpretations of the Diwali festival. The festival begins with Dhanteras, a day set aside to worship the goddess of prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi. On this day, homes are cleaned and paintings are done. Although there are various legends associated with the celebration of Diwali, people mostly associate the celebration with the legend of Lord Ram returning to his kingdom of Ayodhya after fourteen years of exile and defeating Ravana, the demon king.
In Bengal, the celebration is marked with the worship of Goddess Kali. People celebrate Kali puja with great enthusiasm. Joy and festivity reins in every corner of the nation during the Diwali season and is one Hindu festival that unites India. The exchange of sweets customarily accompany the celebration of the festival and is an occasion for cheerfulness and togetherness.
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