A grand Diwali celebration (Festival of Lights) at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in GreenFields, Adelaide on 21st and 22nd October brought together over 1,000 families including community members, and distinguished guests, for an evening filled with devotion, culture, and festive joy.
The evening began with a Hindu ritual (called maha puja), where devotees joined in prayer and reflection, seeking blessings for peace, prosperity, and harmony. The atmosphere was serene and spiritually uplifting, setting the perfect tone for the night’s celebrations.
Following the Mahapuja, the audience enjoyed a captivating drama about Angad from the Ramayan. The performance powerfully portrayed Angad’s courage, intelligence, and unwavering devotion to Shri Ram as he stood firm in the court of Ravan, symbolising the triumph of righteousness and faith. The drama, performed by talented volunteers, captivated the crowd and brought to life one of the most inspiring moments from the Ramayan.
The celebration concluded with a spectacular firework display, lighting up the night sky and symbolising the victory of light over darkness. Families and friends gathered, sharing smiles, laughter and festive spirit as the evening came to a joyous close.
Among the many distinguished guests present to attend the event were
- Tony Zappia – Member of the Australian House of Representatives
- Jing Lee – Member of the Legislative Council of South Australia
- John Fulbrook – Member for South Australian House of Assembly
- Glenn Docherty – Mayor of Playford
- Cr. Jagdish Lakhani – Member for River Ward, City of Campbelltown Council
- Cr. Wasim Saeed – Member for Park Ward, Port Adelaide Enfield Council
- Cr. Lazaras Panayiotou – Member for Northfield, Port Adelaide Enfield Council
The following day marked the Annakut celebration. (pronounced Un-kut), meaning “mountain of food,” a cherished tradition welcoming the new harvest season where over 1000 vegetarian dishes lovingly prepared and artistically arranged before the deities as an expression of gratitude and devotion. Annakut observed at the start of the Hindu New Year symbolises abundance and renewal.
The Diwali Annakut Celebration at Parliament House symbolised the triumph of light over darkness and the spirit of unity, gratitude and cultural harmony. Organised by BAPS Adelaide, the event showcased Hindu values of service, devotion and community engagement fostering interfaith and intercultural understanding. Members of Parliament, including representatives from both major parties were present. The celebration began with a welcome speech highlighting the spiritual significance of Diwali and the tradition of Annakut. A vibrant offering of over 100 vegetarian dishes were prepared by volunteers arranged in traditional tiers symbolising devotion and abundance.
Similar Annakut celebrations organised by BAPS also took place across various centres in Adelaide and regional South Australia to mark the beginning of Hindu New Year and reinforce the values of unity, seva and spiritual growth.
The Kids Diwali carnival was designed to help children understand the spiritual significance of Diwali through interactive learning, creative expression and joyful celebration. It emphasised unity, courage and righteousness-values rooted in Hindu Traditions. Children explored Diwali stories through themed booths and guided story telling. Youth performed skits and dances depicting Ramayan scenes and Diwali messages.
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