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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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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...

NZ curriculum and Diwali the festival of lights

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. Diwali in 2022 begins is from 24 October and will continue for five days.

BBC teaching resources for Diwali feature dance, music, assemblies and stories.

Teaching kids the story of Diwali

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

Indian crafts on display at Diwali 2015.

Indian crafts on display at Diwali 2015.

View of traditional Indian crafts, on display at the 2015 Diwali Festival celebrations held in Aotea Square.

Auckland Diwali festival 2023

Visit this family-friendly event and experience a wide variety of Indian crafts, recipes, music, dance and movies.

Diwali — The festival of lights

This website has all you need to know about the meaning, traditions, significance, and celebration of Diwali, including lots of crafts, activities and recipes to prepare for and enjoy the days of f...

Indian classical dance

Indian classical dance

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

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...

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.

Diwali Festival 2015

Diwali Festival 2015

Diwali Festival, Horncastle Arena, 24 October 2015. File reference: Diwali-2015-IMG_0872.jpg Photo by Vanessa Tedesco. From the collection of Christchurch City Libraries.

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 (festival of lights)

Diwali (festival of lights)

Diwali, known as the Hindu Festival of Lights has been celebrated for more than 2,500 years. It falls in either October or November each year, depending on the cycle of the moon. This entry is abou...

Indians: religion and kin

The growth of Indian religions and celebrations in New Zealand.

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.

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.

Effects of fireworks in Diwali

Noise and air pollution at Diwali.

What clothes are worn for Diwali?

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

Lakshmi Puja on Diwali

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

Lamps lit for the Diwali festival.

Diwali recipes – sweets and snacks

Sweets, snacks and main course recipes for Diwali.

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.

Tradition of fireworks

Fireworks have become an important part of Diwali celebrations.

Facts in brief about Diwali and celebration around the world.

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.

Diwali downunder

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

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 film, television and photography. School login may be required.

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 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.

Ten facts about Diwali…

Discover the fascinating festival of lights.

Chalo (come), let′s celebrate Diwali!

Diwali (or Deepavali), the Indian Festival of Lights, is one of India's most popular festivals. It marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year and celebrates the triumph of good over evil.

Diwali: What is it?

Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.

Christchurch City Libraries page about Diwali.

Diwali kids fiction

Auckland Libraries list of wonderful Indian and Diwali themed fiction for kids.

The Epic that inspired Diwali

Explore the epic story that has inspired one of the biggest Hindu celebrations in the world.

New Zealand and India on the airways

In honour of Diwali, Sarah Johnston has been listening to how ties between New Zealand and India have been recorded on the airwaves - and saved in the archives of Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision.

Find out about Diwali rituals and Indian gods and goddesses.

Indian classical music for Diwali

A group of players performing at Diwali celebrations in Howick, New Zealand.

Rangoli art on display at Diwali 2015.

Rangoli art on display at Diwali 2015.

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

Diwali - Hindu festival of lights

Today marks Diwali - a Hindu festival celebrating the triumphant return of the Hindu avatar, Lord Rama, to Ayodhya.

The many legends of Diwali

Diwali is a five-day festival with lots of legends and traditions behind the celebrations.

Stories of Diwali share a common theme of triumph of justice

Ancient tales in epics are part of religious practice.

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