Photo: Supplied / Selwyn Diwali
It's time to celebrate one of Hinduism's biggest festivals, with vibrant lights, fireworks and colourful events popping up nationwide.
Diwali, also known as Deepavali and celebrated by Jains, Sikhs and some Buddhists, falls on 20 October this year.
With the Indian community becoming the third-largest ethnicity in the country, Diwali has become an important part of New Zealand's multicultural calendar, with annual celebrations at Auckland's Aotea Square one of the premier events.
What follows is a primer on the "Festival of Lights".
What is the significance of Diwali?
Diwali is a word derived from Sanskrit that mean "row of lights", with the celebration being popularly referred to as the "Festival of Lights".
The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness.
It is about new beginnings, a joyous time to spend with family and friends.
It is a time to let go of the old, ushering in positivity and prosperity.
A woman dances in a cultural performance during Diwali in Wellington in 2020. Photo: Supplied / Wellington City Council
What's the story behind the festival?
Diwali starts with the widely revered Hindu epic Ramayan.
Ramayan tells the story of Ram, who is exiled from the kingdom of Ayodhya by his father for 14 years. His wife, Sita, and brother, Lakshman, accompany him as they wander through forests.
Sita is abducted by the 10-headed demon king Ravan, who takes her to his kingdom of Lanka.
Aided by an army of monkeys, Ram kills Ravan and rescues Sita, an occasion celebrated as Dussehra in India and Dashain in Nepal.
Ram returns to Ayodhya with Sita - the day celebrated as Diwali - and establishes a fair and just kingdom for all.
According to tradition, just as Ayodhya was lit up with bright lights to welcome the return of Ram and Sita, Hindus today light up homes, streets and markets to mark the occasion.
Visitors wear traditional attire at Auckland's Diwali celebrations in 2023. Photo: RNZ / ZIMING LI
When is Diwali celebrated?
The date for Diwali varies every year as the Hindu lunar calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar.
In general, though, the festival lasts for five days, falling either in October or November.
The main day of peak celebrations is observed on the new moon called Amavasya in Hindi. Diwali falls on 20 October this year.
Do only Hindus celebrate the festival?
The festival, which marks the beginning of the Hindu new year, is also celebrated by Jains, Sikhs and Buddhists, although for different reasons.
For Sikhs, Diwali coincides with a celebration called Bandi Chhor Diwas.
On the day Diwali was celebrated in 1619, Sikh spiritual leader Guru Hargobind Singh was released from prison.
Meanwhile, Jains believe the founder of their faith, Mahavir, attained nirvana, or the ultimate liberation from the cycle of life and death, on this day.
Some Buddhists honour the Hindu king Ashoka's conversion to Buddhism on this day in third century BC.
Decorative patterns are created on floors with coloured rice flour in many Indian homes during Diwali. Photo:
How does the Indian community celebrates the festival?
While traditions vary region by region, the Indian community typically offers prayers to Hindu goddess of wealth Lakshmi. Idols of Ram, Sita and Lakhman are also worshipped.
Sweets are exchanged and rangolis (decorative patterns created on floors with coloured rice flour) adorn Indian homes.
The celebration includes lighting oil lamps and candles, as well as putting fairy lights in addition to setting off firecrackers - all of which symbolise the banishment of darkness from one's life.
Where is Diwali celebrated in New Zealand?
Diwali celebrations go back in New Zealand for as long as the Indian community has lived in the country.
Until the early 2000s, celebrations were more personal in nature, mainly taking place at home.
Over the past two decades, however, the festival has been celebrated publicly thanks to community groups with support from successive local and central governments.
While it is not yet a public holiday in the country, the weekend celebrations across the country typically attract huge crowds.
The Diwali Festival in Auckland ends with a fireworks display. Photo: David St George
The largest event occurs this year at Auckland's Aotea Square and Queen Street on 11 and 12 October, with organisers expecting more than 65,000 attendees.
Additional festivals have been planned in Wellington at TSB Arena on 23 October, in Hamilton and Tauranga on 18 October, and in Christchurch on 25 October.
Queenstown is celebrating Diwali the same day as Auckland on 11 October, while Palmerston North is planning to hold a Diwali fair on 1 November.
Women dance during a Diwali celebration in 2023. Photo: RNZ / YITING LIN
Are there any tips for joining the celebrations?
Joining the celebrations is easy - just show up. The community events in the main centres are free and welcoming. Dress in bright attire and be ready to dance. Go hungry to enjoy the delicious vegetarian food on offer. Try to stay until the end to enjoy the fireworks.
Try some Indian sweets and learn how to make a rangolis. YouTube has a tonne of informative videos for beginners.
If invited to a home celebration, be sure to bring some sweets - even chocolate will do.
Last but not least, be sure to wish your Indian neighbours and colleagues a very happy Diwali!
