An interfaith dinner, a community food drive and celebrations across the capital reflect the many ways Diwali is being marked in Canberra, reports DHWANI PATHAK.

For millions of people around the world, Diwali is a time to light lamps, gather with family, share food and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.

Known as the festival of lights, Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, this year, with celebrations traditionally spanning five days.

The festival symbolises the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. It is also a time of renewal and new beginnings, decorating homes, wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts and sweets, and shopping for prosperity. 

Beyond the spending, the festival has deep spiritual and cultural significance across Hindu, Jain, Sikh and some Buddhist traditions, although its stories and customs differ between communities. 

In Canberra, this year’s celebrations range from an interfaith Diwali dinner and a community food drive to cultural events organised by associations, temples and councils.

For the first time, organisers say, an interfaith Diwali dinner will bring people from different faith and cultural communities together in Canberra.

The November 11 dinner, organised by the Hindu Council of Australia’s ACT chapter and Blue Star Institute at Gungahlin Community Hall.

Blue Star executive director Fethullah Erdogan says the idea grew from an earlier Ramadan gathering at which Hindu Council of Australia members, including chair Shanti Reddy, were invited.

“We are always trying to find excuses to bring people together on different occasions,” Erdogan says.

He said interfaith engagement needed to work in both directions.

“It wouldn’t be fair, or sincere, just to expect people of other religions to come and become part of your events,” he says.

“If you have dialogue, then we can eliminate the hatred between the groups.”

Reddy says: “We welcomed the proposal as an opportunity to give interfaith engagement a fresh approach.” 

He said the organisers had not dismissed criticism of the initiative, but wanted to show through their actions why bringing people together mattered.

“We believe that if you keep doing it, they will believe us. So, we need to keep doing it,” he says.

Reddy pointed to anti-migrant sentiment, antisemitism, Islamophobia and what he called “Hindu phobia”, saying people from different backgrounds could come together and share a meal.

“When we come together, we see the richness and the beauty of the other cultures,” says Erdogan.

Confirmed attendees include representatives from Sikh, Baha’i, Muslim, Christian and Jewish communities, as well as not-for-profit organisations, such as the Multicultural Hub and MARSS among others.

A festival that has grown with Canberra

Kanti Jinna, vice-president and former president of the Hindu Council of Australia, says Diwali celebrations in Canberra have changed since he arrived in 1982.

In the early days, people largely celebrated through informal gatherings and invitations to one another’s homes. As the Indian community grew, temples and cultural associations began organising larger events, followed by involvement from government, businesses and other organisations.

“It gives an opportunity for those communities to get together with the broader communities to celebrate,” Jinna says.

He said celebrations also reflected the different regional traditions of India, giving the wider Canberra community opportunities to learn about them.

Giving back through Sewa Diwali

For a third year, Sewa Diwali is asking Canberra residents to mark the season by donating essential goods to people experiencing hardship.

“Sewa” means selfless service. The national campaign began in Perth in 2023, collecting 8000kg of donations in its first year. That rose to 27,000kg in 2024 and 45,000kg in 2025. Organisers hope to exceed 50,000kg this year.

Donations are distributed according to need, regardless of recipients’ religion. Local beneficiaries include Foodbank, OzHarvest, Communities at Work, the Early Morning Centre and Karma Kitchen.

Gaurav Sharma, one of the community volunteers, says: “If I am getting 100, I can at least give 10 to the people who are in need,” he says.

The Florey Hindu Temple has been a local collection point, with an estimated 300kg to 500kg of donations gathered there each year, he says.

Srinivasa Prasad L, another volunteer says: “The campaign is about serving the wider community. It’s not just the Hindu community. It’s the entire Australian community.”

Items sought include rice, flour, pasta, pulses, tinned vegetables, cooking oil, cereals, toiletries, cleaning products, nappies and sanitary items. Donations are being accepted until November 16. Details about the campaign and collection arrangements are available at sewadiwaliaus.org.

Diwali events around Canberra

A range of cultural associations, temples and councils are also holding celebrations across Canberra and the surrounding region.

• Canberra India Council Diwali Mela: November 7, 12.30pm-8.30pm. Food, fashion and jewellery stalls, mehndi, cultural performances, a DJ and family activities.
• Queanbeyan Diwali Mela Lantern Festival: November 14, 5pm to 10pm, at Queanbeyan Showground. Presented by Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council and Queanbeyan Multicultural Centre, the free event includes a lantern parade, lantern-making activities and fireworks. Details: qprc.nsw.gov.au/Events/Diwali-Mela-Lantern-Festiva
• Hindu Council of Australia and BAPS Deepavali celebration: November 25 at Parliament House.
• Canberra Girmit Association of Fiji’s Diwali Dinner and Trivia Night: November 14, 6pm onwards. RSVP to cgaofj@gmail.com 
• Diwali Dhamaka, Rajdhani Marathi Mandal Canberra: November 14, 5pm-10pm, at Flynn Community Hub. The ticketed event will include food, games, activities and a photo booth.
• Karnataka Rajyotsava and Deepavali celebration: November 14, 4pm to 8.30pm, at Melrose High School in Pearce. Ticketed event with music, dance and food.
• Gujarati Samaj of ACT: November 21, a members-only dinner is planned at the Hindu Temple and Cultural Centre in Florey. Details: gsacanberra.org.au/agm-diwali-dinner-celebration.

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