While living in the Middle East, Narender Kumar and his family celebrated Diwali with other Indian expats.
In Australia, he says, it’s different. “You get to share your feelings, excitement and your joy with much wider cultures and nationalities,” he says.
This year Kumar and his wife, Sarita Khawas, who migrated to Australia from Saudia Arabia last year with their two children, are celebrating Diwali in their new home in Box Hill, in Melbourne’s east.
Diwali – the festival of lights – is one of the Hindu calendar’s biggest celebrations (though Sikhs, Jains and some Buddhists celebrate it too). The festival hails the triumph of light over dark and goodness prevailing over evil.
The third day of the five-day festival is the climax of celebrations. It honours Lakshmi – the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity.
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The main day this year falls on Tuesday in Australia and, at the weekend, Kumar’s family began arranging and lighting oil lamps – diyas – around their home in preparation.
Lights, fireworks and feasting are staples of Diwali celebrations. On Narak Charturdashi – the day before the main festivities – some people take an oil bath, symbolising purification.
Food is also a major part of celebrations. On Tuesday Kumar will take kaju katli – a diamond-shaped north Indian sweet made with cashews – into the office to share with his colleagues.
“It’s about sharing our joy and excitement with others,” he says. “That is what Diwali means to me. My colleagues in the office are also excited about Diwali.”
While anti-immigration protests have targeted Australia’s Indian community, Kumar says he and his family have been embraced since arriving in mid-2024. “Every bit of Australia has welcomed us,” he says.
He says his colleagues have helped make adjustments like allowing him to work from home so that he can join Diwali celebrations in the evening: “The support of my colleagues is beyond my expectations.”
Diwali celebrations across Australia have grown over the past few years, with the latest census in 2021 showing Hinduism was the nation’s fastest growing religion. Indian-born residents are Australia’s second largest migrant community after people born in the UK.
In Sydney local councils are hosting festival of lights events. They include Bayside, which is celebrating its first Diwali on Saturday in Rockdale.
The annual Wyndham Diwali festival in Melbourne’s west, on Saturday, featuring fireworks and food stalls, is open to all.
The festival is now celebrated in workplaces and schools across Australia, including stadium-sized festivities. In Melbourne thousands of people celebrated at Marvel Stadium this month. Federation Square also hosted a Diwali event with live music, Bollywood performances and meditation workshops.
Last week Sydney’s Opera House was lit up in gold as a tribute to the festival.
Blacktown city council, in Sydney’s west, is also running its annual Diwali lights competition for the best decorated house.
For Kumar, Diwali celebrations in Australia are about being with family. Since arriving in Australia, the family have reunited with his younger brother, who lives about 10 minutes away.
“We are now two families,” he says. “Our joy is doubled. It gives me the best feeling.”
While he misses his parents in India, his niece, who is studying in Australia, is also staying with the family.
“On this joyous occasion we all are together. So that’s something which is difficult to explain in words.”
