By Brendan Rees
One of the most significant festivals in Indian culture, Diwali, the festival of lights was celebrated in Cranbourne.
More than 150 people attended the event at Balla Balla Community Centre on Saturday 14 October.
Hosted by the Gippsland Indian Association (GIA) in conjunction with the organisation’s silver jubilee celebration, the event also had Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan join the celebrations as special guest.
GIA secretary Praneel Chandra said Hindus celebrated this festival by illuminating their houses with traditional lamps or diyas, candles or colourful electric lights.
“Lighting of lights signifies removal of darkness and ignorance from one’s life and triumph of good over evil. Prior to the night, the houses are cleaned and decorated and the night begins with prayer, followed by lighting of diyas and candles and playing with fireworks,” Mr Chandra said.
“The night eventually ends with feasting and eating of sweets. Sweets are also offered to friends and neighbours.”
Mr Chandra said each year in an attempt to maintain the tradition and spirit of Diwali, GIA invited its members to bring along another family to join together in celebrating this popular festival.
“To commemorate 25 years of existence of GIA, the founding members of this organisation were specially invited,” he said.
“Some of these founding members had not met each other for so long; hence this event was an ideal occasion for them to catch up. Everyone who attended had a wonderful time.”
Diwali or Deepawali is one of the major annual Hindu festivals. Translated in English, the word Diwali means a series of lights hence the festival is also known as the Hindu “festival of lights”.
