In late October or early November, something magical happens in certain pockets of Australia. The air is infused with the fragrance of incense and Indian sweets, vibrant colours fill the skies, and the evening comes alive with the soft glow of oil lamps. This is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, a major celebration for the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities. Initially, a more private affair celebrated in the comfort of homes, this age-old Indian festival has progressively taken on a public persona as Australia’s South Asian population grows.
Diwali is a festival of many hues. It’s not just about the stunning visual spectacle but also a time for prayer and reverence. The main event centres on lighting oil lamps called “diyas,” feasting on traditional sweets like “laddoos” and “jalebis,” and worshipping Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth. It’s an occasion that encapsulates the essence of Indian culture and spirituality.
What makes this phenomenon increasingly fascinating is the surge of public recognition and integration of the festival into mainstream Australian society, especially in cities like Sydney. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of Hindus in Australia swelled by over 240,000—marking the largest increase for any religious group. This growth has directly contributed to the festival’s rising profile.
Sydney, in particular, is a spectacle to behold during Diwali. Houses, streets, and schools light up, making the festival an essential part of the South Asian community’s cultural calendar. Public celebrations have grown more common, allowing the community to carve out its space in the public sphere. Events like “Powerhouse Late: Charkha and Kargha” contribute to this, offering a smorgasbord of Indian textiles, fashion, cultural and dance workshops, and much more.
The trend isn’t just limited to cultural events or community circles. Major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles have joined the Diwali bandwagon. Around the time of the festival, stores put up Diwali-specific signage and stack their shelves with Indian goods, reflecting a broader acceptance and recognition of the festival’s significance.
As the Indian community grows in Australia, Diwali has shifted from being a festival celebrated within homes to a large-scale, public event. Parramatta’s Bayanami Public School, for instance, has begun holding Diwali celebrations, a clear indicator of the festival’s integration into various sectors of Australian society.
Australia’s recognition of Diwali extends beyond cultural spaces and enters the world of sports and business. Some Indian businesses close early on Diwali, and cricket matches between Australia and India are often scheduled around the festival. This shows that the festival is gaining a footprint in broader Australian society and is not just limited to the South Asian community.
Of course, the celebrations here in Australia have had to adapt a bit. While the traditional lighting of oil lamps continues to be common, there has been a fusion of styles due to the non-availability of certain materials. Still, the core essence of the festival—marking the triumph of light over darkness—remains intact.
Apart from Diwali, the Hindu community in Australia also celebrates ‘Dhanteras,’ an auspicious day for new purchases of gold and silver, which further augments the festival’s grandeur and underlines its importance in bringing good fortune and prosperity.
So, what does this all mean for Australia? The growth of public Diwali celebrations reflects broader trends in Australian society, akin to other cultural celebrations like the Lunar New Year and Ramadan, which have found their places in the Aussie public sphere. It speaks to Australia’s ever-growing multicultural identity and proves that diversity isn’t just accepted—it’s celebrated.
With nearly 700,000 people of Indian descent now calling Australia home, Diwali has become an annual milestone that adds another layer of richness to the Australian cultural landscape. It is not just a festival imported from the Indian subcontinent; it has become a part of Australia’s cultural DNA.
So, the next time you see a row of diyas or hear the sound of firecrackers around October or November, you’ll know that Diwali has not just illuminated homes but also lit up the multicultural ethos of Australia.
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#Diwali, the Festival of Lights, has evolved from a private celebration to a vibrant, multicultural spectacle in Australia, reflecting the country's growing diversity & cultural richness. 🪔✨🌏 #TheIndianSun #Diwali2023 https://t.co/KKWU9DG2T8
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