Diwali (also known as “Deepavali” or the “Festival of Lights”) is a celebration that marks the triumph of good over evil. The festival symbolises positivity, hope over despair and a bright new beginning.

Diwali is a time for happiness, closeness, traditions, festivities, and family time. It’s a time when families transform their homes into beacons of light, exchange gifts and share feasts. The lead up to the festival includes customs such as thorough house cleaning and making sweets. The highlight on the day of Diwali is the wearing of new clothes, lighting of diyas (small, cup-shaped oil lamps made of baked clay) and visiting friends and family, and giving out sweets as a gesture of greeting with sweetness and joy.

The festival is observed by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world.

This year, the festival falls on Thursday, 4 November 2021.

Public landmarks in Auckland will be lit up for the Festival of Lights, and Auckland Unlimited will be providing Diwali content online at aucklandnz.com/Diwali