Riverina residents unite to celebrate the festival of lights

To mark the victory of good over evil, thousands of Riverina residents are celebrating the Hindu festival of lights, Deepavali/Diwali, today.

Deepavali is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘deepa’, meaning light/lamp and ‘avali’, meaning row.

To celebrate the festival, the Wagga Wagga Indian Community is inviting everyone to join the annual Deepavali celebrations.

“It is more about coming together rather than a spiritual event,” said Wagga Indian Community executive committee member Manoj Dundigalla.

“While there are plenty of other events that happen during the year, this is the only event that people are always looking forward to attending and don’t want to miss.

“This is where people from South, North, West, and East India get together, and everyone has the same feeling about Diwali.”

Manoj said locals gathered to experience a sense of unity and celebration.

“This is always a highlight for the Indian community, and people love to be part of this event,” he said.

“This Diwali event will feature a three-course dinner and fun activities for the kids.

“If the kids come in traditional outfits, they can participate in the fashion parade. We also have 15 dance performances, including classical, Bollywood, and regional Indian dances.

“We will also have sparkles.”

Manoj said the Wagga Indian Community had run the Deepavali event since 2016, and it had grown in popularity over the years.

“Last year, we had a tremendous response … we had 550 people,” he said.

Observed by Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs in India and around the world, Deepavali is celebrated for several ancient, religious, and mythological significances.

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Deepavali marks the return of Lord Rama with his wife Sita and brother Lakshman to their home in Ayodhya after defeating the ten-headed demon king Ravana.

The people of Ayodhya welcomed them by lighting rows of oil lamps, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness.

Deepavali is also the day to worship the deity of wealth and prosperity, Goddess Lakshmi, and to celebrate Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura.

The festival is celebrated by lighting clay oil lamps and decorating doorways with rangoli, elaborate art designs made from coloured rice flour, sand, or flower petals. As part of the celebrations, people wear new clothes, exchange gifts, feast on sweets, sing, dance, and set off fireworks.

Deepavali events are also happening in Griffith and Albury.

The Albury Wodonga Indian Australian Association is hosting its members-only Deepavali event on 16 November at Wodonga South Primary.

To join the celebration in Wagga, get your tickets for Wagga Indian Community Celebrates Diwali 2024.

Happy Deepavali/Diwali to all celebrating!