INDIANS and South Asian diaspora all over the world celebrated their biggest holiday ‘Diwali’, also known as the festival of lights, last week.
In Swan Hill, Diwali celebrations took place at the Anglican Church on Saturday October 26.
The event, with traditional Punjabi food and music, was organised by the Swan Hill Punjabi Ladies Association.
All over India, people celebrated the festival of lights with fireworks, while homes and local businesses are lit up with oil lamps and candles.
Diwali follows the lunar calendar occurring on the night of a new moon, and is celebrated by more than a billion people every year including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.
While the holiday originated more than 2,500 years ago with Hindus celebrating the return of Prince Rama after a 14-year-long exile, Diwali holds significance for many reasons across different regions and religions in India.
