Melbourne’s Indian community is preparing to welcome Diwali with a blend of traditional customs and modern celebrations. Families are decorating homes with rangoli and diyas, cooking festive treats, and performing pujas, while also participating in community events that bring together people from all backgrounds. Diwali in Melbourne reflects both a deep connection to cultural roots and the vibrant multiculturalism of the city.
Let’s hear from a few Melburnians themselves.
NANDITA RAO
For us, Diwali in Melbourne is more than just a celebration; it’s an opportunity to share a piece of our past with our children. Growing up in South India, the festival was filled with vibrant traditions—firecrackers lighting up the sky and the aroma of festive food filling the air. While we may not celebrate in the same way here, we take advantage of this time to talk to our kids about these traditions, offering them a glimpse of what it was like for us growing up, hoping to give them a deeper connection to their heritage while they embrace life in a multicultural city like Melbourne.
SALEHA SINGH
Diwali, for me, is an emotion—a time to express gratitude and celebrate with loved ones.
Every year in Melbourne, we host a Diwali party that brings our friends together. My daughters kick off the festivities by lighting the first diya, which is flowed followed by a lively evening. Delicious food, including my husband’s mouth-watering kebabs, fill the air as music pumps through the night. Informing our neighbours and the police is a custom!
The night wraps up with a card game, with small stakes—10 or 20 cents—stretching into the early morning. It’s a festival we eagerly look forward to every year.
SREE CHARAN
As Diwali approaches in Melbourne, my family and I immerse ourselves in preparations that blend tradition with community. We start by cleaning and decorating our home, hanging colourful rangoli designs at the entrance and placing diyas (oil lamps) throughout the house to symbolise the victory of light over darkness.
In the days leading up to the festival, we gather ingredients to prepare traditional sweets like gulab jamun and barfi, along with savoury snacks such as samosas and pakoras. Cooking together not only strengthens our family bonds but also brings back fond memories of Diwali celebrations from our childhood.
On the night of Diwali, we dress in our finest traditional attire, adding to the festive spirit. We perform a puja (prayer ceremony) to honour Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, seeking her blessings for our family. After the puja, we exchange gifts and sweets with family and friends, reinforcing our connections.
Melbourne’s vibrant multicultural landscape enhances our celebration. We often attend local Diwali festivals, where we enjoy cultural performances, food stalls, and the chance to meet people from various backgrounds. These events highlight the unity within diversity, allowing us to share our traditions while learning about others.
Observing Diwali in Melbourne holds deep significance for us. It’s a way to maintain our cultural roots while living in a diverse city. Celebrating with friends and neighbours fosters a sense of belonging and community, reminding us of the importance of inclusivity and mutual respect. Ultimately, Diwali becomes not just a festival for us, but a bridge that connects different cultures, enriching our lives in a beautiful way.
RUCHI SHARMA
We have a friend here who hosts a Deepawali get-together, but we always make sure to do our own family puja first before joining. Deepawali is typically celebrated within our community, though we also organise events where people from other backgrounds are invited. Being a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee with Knox Council, I understand the importance of festivals and celebrations in the lives of migrants. Indians in Knox group here are super excited for their upcoming Diwali event, to be held on 18 October. People from neighbourhood houses are also joining in. Additionally, the Australian Indian Society of Victoria where I serve as the Secretary is celebrating Diwali on 5 October. So, there are a couple of community events where people from all cultures are welcome to join.
Deepawali and Holi are two of the most important festivals in the Indian calendar. My ex being the only son used to visit India every year to celebrate Diwali with his mother, which shows just how significant the festival is for us. The festival symbolises the victory of light over darkness and the celebration rejuvenates the souls with more happiness.
SOFIA THOKCHOM
Every year, we take the children to the temple to celebrate Diwali, although we can’t observe the fire ceremony like we did back home in Manipur,” Sofia explains. “We still perform puja at home, which helps maintain that connection to our traditions. The kids used to enjoy playing with crackers during the festivities, but as they’ve grown, their understanding of the festival has evolved. They now appreciate its significance and the values it represents.
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🪔 Melburnians Nandita Rao, Saleha Singh, Sree Charan, Ruchi Sharma & Sofia Thokcham share their #Diwali celebrations, blending #tradition with #multiculturalism. 🎉 How do you celebrate Diwali? 💬🪔 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/d1oxC8Ftn5
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