All of western Sydney will soon be aglow with twinkling lights for Diwali.
The explosive sounds of firecrackers will be heard across Parramatta Park during The Hindu Council of Australia's Deepavali Fair on October 19.
And many of the 59,940 Hindi-background people recorded as residing in the region — an area covering Blacktown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, Holroyd, and Penrith Councils — will also light up their homes either by electric lights, fireworks or small oil lamps called diyas this Diwali — October 23.
"Imagine . . . . every household blowing crackers up; it's beautiful"
- — Mohit Kumar
"Just like Christmas, we decorate the outside of our house with lights, to celebrate the victory of good over evil and light over darkness; that's why it's the Festival of Lights," said Mohit Kumar, an executive member of the Council of Indian Australians, which is hosting its own Diwali celebration at The Ponds on October 18.
"For Indians, Diwali is actually cracker night.
"We do a little prayer at sunset and then we start blowing crackers all through the night.
"If you looked up in the sky . . . imagine . . . . every household blowing crackers up; it's beautiful.
"We also exchange Indian sweets during Diwali and gifts.
"Employers give Diwali bonuses."
Diwali is also considered an auspicious time to buy gold jewellery and big-ticket items, such as a fridge or a car.
■ Saturday, October 18, 11.30am-6pm: The Council of Indian Australians hosts a Diwali celebration as part of The Ponds Spring Festival, featuring stalls, multicultural and Bollywood dance performances, rangoli (Indian sand-painted design) pattern-painting competitions, kids’ activities and traditional foods. At LakesEdge Park, Lomandra Crescent, The Ponds.
■ Sunday, October 19, 11am: The Hindu Council of Australia is holding a Deepavali Fair, featuring multicultural dance performances, rides, rangoli competitions, Western Union dance competition, kids’ and youth activities, food stalls, art and cultural exhibitions, Ravan effigy burning and fireworks. At Parramatta Park, Parramatta.
Diwali, also called the Festival of Lights, is observed on the 15th day of the month of Kartika in the Hindu calendar to honour Rama-chandra, the seventh avatar (incarnation of the god Vishnu).
It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana.
People lit their houses to celebrate his victory over evil.
